Cell Count, Serous Fluid

Method Name

Manual

Aliases

Cell Count, Serous Fluid; Pleural; Thoracentesis; Peritoneal; Ascitic; Pericentesis; Pericardial, Cell Count - Serous Fluid

Specimen Required

one lavender top tube

Specimen Minimum Volume

0.5 mL of fluid

Specimen Stability Information

4 hours at room temperature or 24 hours refrigerated.

Special Instructions

Cell counts cannot be performed on clotted fluids. If a clotted fluid is received, only a differential will be performed.

Performing Laboratory

As ordered. Turn around time is 4 hours.

Reference Values

See report