A chemotherapy patient's WBC is count is 1.0 ´ 109 /L. There are 60% segmented neutrophils, 38% lymphocytes, and 2% monocytes. What is the absolute neutrophil count?

a. 60 x 109/L
b. 6 x 109/L
c. 0.6 x 109/L
d. 0.16 x 109/L

ANS: C
The absolute count is determined by multiplying the total white count by the relative percent of a specific cell type. Thus in this case it is (0.60) ´ (1.0 ´ 109 /L) = 0.6 x 109/L.