NHA Phlebotomy Certification Practice Exam

In which department of the laboratory is a complete blood count performed?

1. Hematology

2. Microbiology

3. Chemistry

4. Blood bank

The correct answer is: Hematology

A complete blood count (CBC) is performed in the hematology department of a laboratory. This department specializes in analyzing blood samples to evaluate the cells present in the blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The CBC provides crucial information about an individual's overall health and helps in diagnosing various medical conditions like anemia, infection, and other blood disorders. Hematology focuses on studying the components of blood and their functions, making it the appropriate setting for conducting a CBC. The methods and equipment used in this department are specifically designed to perform detailed analyses of blood cell counts and their characteristics. Other departments, such as microbiology, chemistry, and blood bank, focus on different aspects of laboratory testing. Microbiology examines pathogens and infections, chemistry analyzes chemical substances and metabolic processes, and the blood bank is involved in blood typing, crossmatching, and managing blood transfusions. While all these areas are essential in a diagnostic laboratory, they do not pertain to the complete blood count procedure.