Body Fluid Differential Tutorial (Online CE Course)

(based on 1,448 customer ratings)

Author: MaryBeth Helfrich, MLS(ASCP)
Reviewer: Valerie F. Jalicke, MS, MLS(ASCP)CMPBTCM

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If you have forgotten the art of differentiating choroid plexus cells from ependymal cells or viral lymphocytes from fluid monocytes, you are in luck! This course provides a thorough morphologic identification of over 40 cell types and disease states to recharge your memory. The course features over 100 crystal clear, perfectly stained body fluid images to illustrate both basic and advanced cellular morphology - perfect for a comprehensive, detailed review which can help refresh any technologist, both in or out of the hematology laboratory. The course is P.A.C.E. approved for 2 full credit hours to help reach your continuing education credit requirements. Enjoy learning and/or reviewing the key identification characteristics of body fluid cells in a user-friendly and fun format. Enroll today!

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Continuing Education Credits

P.A.C.E.® Contact Hours (acceptable for AMT, ASCP, and state recertification): 2 hour(s)
Approved through 4/30/2026
Approved through 4/30/2026

Objectives

  • Compare and contrast the morphology of cells found in normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), normal pleural fluid, normal peritoneal fluid, and normal synovial fluid.
  • Identify the morphology of cells found in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL).
  • Distinguish abnormal/reactive/infected cell morphology in fluids.
  • Recognize malignant cell morphology in body fluids.
  • Discuss appropriate scenarios for hematology/pathology review.

Customer Ratings

(based on 1,448 customer ratings)

Course Outline

Click on the links below to preview selected pages from this course.
  • Cytocentrifugation Morphology
      • Cytocentrifugation of Body Fluid Samples
      • Cytocentrifugation of Body Fluid Samples, continued
  • Cell Types Common To Most Types of Body Fluids
    • Neutrophils
      • Neutrophils
      • Neutrophils, continued
      • Eosinophils vs. Neutrophils
      • True or False? Nucleated blood cells will always have the same appearance on a cytocentrifuged smear as they do on a peripheral blood smear.
    • Lymphocytes, Atypical Lymphocytes, Plasma Cells
    • Monocytes and Macrophages
      • Monocytes
      • Monocytes vs Lymphocytes
      • Monocytes and Macrophages
      • Monocytes and Macrophages, continued
      • Macrophages
      • Phagocytosis
      • Hemosiderin
      • Histiocytes
      • True or False? Macrophages are the phagocytes that originate from lymphocytes.
      • Match each cell type listed in the drop-down box to the letter that corresponds to its identification in the image on the right.
  • Cells Found in Cerebrospinal Fluid
    • Cerebrospinal Fluid: Non-Blood Cells
    • Cerebrospinal Fluid: Bone Marrow Contamination
      • Bone Marrow Contamination in CSF
      • Bone Marrow Contamination in CSF, continued
      • What is the identification of this cellular clump found in CSF? Note the presence of many similar-appearing nuclei without distinct lines of demarcati...
  • Cells Found in Pleural and Peritoneal Fluids
  • Cells Found in Synovial Fluids
  • Cells Found in Bronchoalveolar Lavages
    • Bronchial Lining Cells
      • Bronchial Lining Cells
      • Bronchial Lining Cells, continued
      • Match the following cell types to the body fluids in which they may be seen when the fluid is observed on a cytocentrifuged preparation.
  • Infectious Organisms in Body Fluids
  • Malignant Fluids with Leukemia and Lymphoma.
  • Malignant Fluids with Metastatic Tumor
  • References

Additional Information

Level of Instruction: Intermediate
Intended Audience: This course is intended for laboratory professionals who have experience with peripheral blood morphology and basic experience with body fluid differential analysis.  This tutorial will provide a review of normal and abnormal body fluid morphology utilizing Wright-Giemsa stained cytospin preparations from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), pleural, peritoneal, and synovial fluids, as well as bronchial alveolar lavage (BAL) samples.
Author Information: Marybeth Helfrich, MLS(ASCP) is currently a Laboratory Technologist Specialist for the Hematology/Oncology Laboratory at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. She received her Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology from Temple University in Philadelphia and has nearly 40 years of experience in both adult and pediatric hematology and oncology settings. She has been a presenter for ASCLS-PA, ASCP (local and national), and the Texas Teleconference network. She is responsible for hematology morphology instruction and training for medical technologists and fellows. She is also a regular developer of morphology tutorials for in-house continuing education activities.
Reviewer Information: Valerie F. Jalicke, MS, MLS(ASCP)CMPBTCM received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Bioscience Technologies from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA. She currently serves as Program Director and Clinical Assistant Professor in the Medical Laboratory Science program at Thomas Jefferson University. She has over 30 years of experience as a medical laboratory scientist with a heavy focus on hematology, clinical chemistry, and urinalysis and body fluids.

How to Subscribe
MLS & MLT Comprehensive CE Package
Includes 184 CE courses, most popular
$109Add to cart
Pick Your Courses
Up to 8 CE hours
$55Add to cart
Individual course$25Add to cart
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