Which test identifies the percentage of each type of white blood cell relative to the total white blood cells?

Which test identifies the percentage of each type of white blood cell relative to the total white blood cells?

• A. Complete Blood Count
• B. Differential Leukocyte Count
• C. White Blood Cell Count
• D. Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate

Answer: (B)

The guiding concept is quantifying the distribution of white blood cell types. The differential leukocyte count specifically provides the percentages of each leukocyte type—neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils—relative to the total white blood cell count (and can include absolute numbers as well). This contrasts with a plain WBC count, which only gives the total number of white cells, and with an ESR, which measures inflammation rather than cell-type makeup. A complete blood count can include a differential, but what identifies the relative proportions of each WBC type is the differential leukocyte count.

The guiding concept is quantifying the distribution of white blood cell types. The differential leukocyte count specifically provides the percentages of each leukocyte type—neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils—relative to the total white blood cell count (and can include absolute numbers as well). This contrasts with a plain WBC count, which only gives the total number of white cells, and with an ESR, which measures inflammation rather than cell-type makeup. A complete blood count can include a differential, but what identifies the relative proportions of each WBC type is the differential leukocyte count.