Specimen Requirements
Title
Cell Count, Serous Fluid
Specimen Requirement
Collect lavender EDTA or green top heparin/1-2 mL fluid. Follow standard collection procedures. Heparin should be added to the syringe used for aspiration of pleural or pericardial fluid to prevent clotting.
Methodology
Microscopic and macroscopic examination
Stability
Room temp: Unacceptable, Refrigerated: 48 hours, Frozen: Unacceptable
Reference Range
By Report*
Turnaround
1-2 days
Clinical Use
Evaluate serous fluid for the presence of RBCs (semiquantitative), WBCs, differential, and for physical appearance.
See test code SFCT if testing synovial fluid.
Test Code
BFCT