OSMT (Ontario Society of Medical Technologists) Practice Exam

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When stained with a Romanowsky stain, the RBC should be:

Blue
Green
Purple
Red

The correct answer is: Red

When stained with a Romanowsky stain, red blood cells (RBCs) typically appear red. The Romanowsky stain is a type of supravital stain that is used in hematology to visualize blood cells, and it primarily differentiates between various types of cells in blood smears. In healthy samples, the hemoglobin within the RBCs retains its red color, making them distinguishable from other cellular components such as white blood cells which may exhibit varying shades due to the staining process. The red appearance of RBCs under this type of staining is indicative of their normal state, while other colors represent other cell types or changes that can occur with certain conditions. Understanding the appearance of stained cells helps in diagnosing various hematological conditions, reinforcing the importance of recognizing the typical colors associated with each cell type.