What does a differential cell counter do?

A differential cell counter is a specialized device used primarily in hematology to identify and quantify the various types of cells present in a blood sample, specifically red blood cells and white blood cells. This tool plays a critical role in diagnosing a range of medical conditions by providing insights into the hematological profile of a patient.

In context, counting red and white blood cells can help assess overall health, detect anemia, or identify infections. The information gathered from this process is vital for clinicians in forming accurate diagnoses and determining appropriate treatments.

While measuring blood pressure, separating blood components, and identifying infection types are important medical tasks, they are not the primary functions associated with a differential cell counter. Each of these tasks requires different equipment or methods, highlighting the specificity of the differential cell counter’s role in medical diagnostics.