Select the most appropriate action for the results in Question 18:
a. Report the results.
b. Lyse the red cells manually and rerun.
c. Warm sample to 37° C and rerun.
d. Replace plasma with saline and rerun.
ANS: C
The blood sample should be warmed to 37° C and rerun when a cold agglutinin is present or suspected of being present. The antibody will disassociate from the red cell membrane at this temperature, and the red cells will "unclump." This raises the red count and lowers the MCV, MCH, and MCHC.
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