When using a standard white blood cell pipette, what must the total cell count be multiplied by to determine the white blood cell count?

To determine the white blood cell count using a standard white blood cell pipette, the total cell count must be multiplied by a specific factor to convert the number of cells counted into a standardized measure, typically per microliter (µL) of blood. The correct multiplication factor is 50.

When performing a white blood cell count, the procedure involves diluting a blood sample in a specified volume and then counting the cells in a defined area under a microscope. The factor of 50 comes from the dilution and the volume of the chamber being used. Specifically, the white blood cell pipette is designed to dilute blood in a volume that allows for accurate counting of a representative cell population. This relationship between the dilution factor and the volume helps standardize the results, making it easy to report the white blood cell count as a number per microliter.

In clinical practice, using the correct multiplication factor is crucial for ensuring accuracy in blood cell counts, which can significantly influence diagnoses and subsequent medical decisions. Thus, understanding the use of this multiplication factor is fundamental for anyone performing hemocytometer counts, particularly in a laboratory or clinical setting.