Which laboratory equipment is typically used for a complete blood count (CBC)?

A complete blood count (CBC) is a comprehensive test that evaluates various components of blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelet levels. The hematology analyzer is specifically designed for this purpose, as it automates the counting and analysis of these blood components with high precision and speed. The analyzer can quickly process multiple samples and provide detailed results, making it an essential tool in clinical laboratories for performing CBCs efficiently.

While other equipment like a microscope, centrifuge, and spectrophotometer are important in different laboratory procedures, they do not perform the complete range of analyses required for a CBC.

A microscope is typically used for examining blood smears and identifying different types of blood cells in detail, but it does not automate the counting process. A centrifuge is used to separate components of blood based on density, which is part of sample preparation but not the analysis phase itself. A spectrophotometer is mainly utilized for measuring the absorbance of light at specific wavelengths and is not suited for complete blood analysis. Thus, the hematology analyzer is the most appropriate and specialized equipment for conducting a complete blood count.