A correction for nucleated red blood cells (nRBC) is done to avoid a falsely:

A correction for nucleated red blood cells (nRBC) is done to avoid a falsely:

• A. Elevated WBC count
• B. Decreased WBC count
• C. Elevated PCV
• D. Decreased PCV

Answer: (A)

Nucleated red blood cells can confuse automated cell counters. Their nucleus makes them resemble white blood cells, so when many nRBCs are present the WBC readout can appear falsely high. To prevent reporting a spurious leukocytosis, a correction is performed—often by reviewing a stained smear and adjusting the WBC count to exclude the nRBCs or by applying a correction factor. This adjustment specifically targets an artificially elevated WBC count, not a decrease, and it isn’t primarily about PCV.

Nucleated red blood cells can confuse automated cell counters. Their nucleus makes them resemble white blood cells, so when many nRBCs are present the WBC readout can appear falsely high. To prevent reporting a spurious leukocytosis, a correction is performed—often by reviewing a stained smear and adjusting the WBC count to exclude the nRBCs or by applying a correction factor. This adjustment specifically targets an artificially elevated WBC count, not a decrease, and it isn’t primarily about PCV.