How many nucleated cells should be counted during a total nucleated cell count?

The total nucleated cell count is a critical component of cytological evaluation, and counting 100 nucleated cells is a standard practice in this context. This number is chosen because it provides a sufficiently large sample size that enhances the accuracy and reliability of the results. Counting 100 cells allows for a better representation of the population being assessed, reducing the impact of variability and outliers in a smaller sample.

In various cytology practices, counting fewer than 100 cells may not yield enough information to draw meaningful conclusions about the cellular makeup of a sample. The results may be skewed, leading to misinterpretation of cell types, their proportions, and any abnormalities that may be present. Thus, the choice to count 100 nucleated cells strikes a balance between efficiency and statistical validity in cellular diagnostics.