READING A BLOOD TEST TO DO NOT TO DO Use simple language to explain the results. If the patient has a result that may indicate a worrying condition, provide reassurance, but explain any further investigations or treatments. If the results are normal, emphasise that the patient is in good health, but that it is important to continue to monitor the patient's health regularly. Don t assume the patient knows what you re talking about. Don t use overly technical language. BLOOD COUNT COMPONENTS REFERENCE VALUES Red blood cells (RBC) carry oxygen to the tissues. Low values may indicate anaemia, while high values may be linked to diseases such as polycythaemia. Men: 4.7-6.1 million per microlitre (µL) Women: 4.2-5.4 million/µL Haemoglobin (Hb): protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Low values suggest anaemia, high values may indicate dehydration or other pathologies. Men: 13.5-17.5 g/dL Women: 12-16 g/dL Haematocrit (Hct): percentage of blood made up of red blood cells. Low values may indicate anaemia or blood loss, high values may suggest dehydration or lung/heart disease. Men: 40%-54% Women: 37%-47% White blood cells (WBC) fight infections. High values may indicate infection or inflammation, low values suggest an immune system deficiency. 4.000-10.000/µL Platelets (PLT) help in blood clotting. Low values increase the risk of bleeding, high values may indicate thrombocytosis. 150.000-450.000/µL Mean corpuscular volume (MCV): average size of red blood cells. Low values indicate microcytic anaemia (due to iron deficiency), high values indicate macrocytic anaemia (due to B12 or folic acid deficiency). 80-100 femtolitres Mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH): average amount of haemoglobin per red blood cell. A low value suggests little haemoglobin in the red blood cells. 27-31 pg/cell (for each red blood cell) Mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC): average concentration of haemoglobin in red blood cells. 32-36 g/dL Role-play PROBLEM A patient receives the results of his blood count AIMS Explain the functions and values of the blood count, communicating in an empathetic way Location: GP's office Characters: doctor, patient Case-study: the doctor explains to the patient the values of the blood count, previously prescribed because the latter complained of tiredness and frequent headaches. The haemoglobin is low and the doctor prescribes a further blood test to evaluate the iron present in the body (ferritin). EXERCISE 1 Location: GP's office Characters: doctor, patient Case-study: a young patient, despite his blood count being impeccable, often feels tired. The doctor suggests adopting an active lifestyle, eating a healthy diet, and sleeping at least 7-8 hours a night, avoiding watching TV or using the phone before bed. EXERCISE 2 8.1 HANDS ON 361