CSMLS Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

A blood smear that is too thick typically results from a spreader angle that is too high. When the angle of the spreader slide is excessively inclined, it causes the blood to spread too unevenly across the slide. This results in a dense layer of cells rather than a thin, even film, making it difficult to evaluate cell morphology effectively.

In the context of preparing a blood smear, achieving the correct angle is crucial for creating an optimal thickness. A proper spreader angle allows for an appropriate and uniform distribution of cells, ensuring that there is neither overcrowding nor insufficient coverage. If the angle is too high, it may prevent the blood from spreading thinly, leading to a smear that is thick, which hinders the quality of the diagnostic evaluation.

Other factors like the size of the blood drop or the angle being too low do impact smear quality, but they do not directly lead to the thickness characteristic of the smear. Thus, adjusting the spreader angle is key to producing a well-prepared blood smear suitable for microscopic examination.