NCLEX Hematology Practice Test

Absolute neutrophil count represents how many neutrophils are present per microliter of blood and is derived from the total white blood cell count and the neutrophil portion of the differential. The correct approach is to multiply the total WBC by the sum of the percentages of neutrophils and bands. If the differential is given in percentages, convert them to a decimal (multiply by 0.01) or equivalently divide the product by 100, then multiply by the WBC. For example, with a WBC of 8,000/µL and neutrophils at 62% and bands at 3%, ANC = 8,000 × (0.62 + 0.03) = 5,200/µL. This works because only the neutrophil lineage—mature neutrophils and band forms—contributes to the ANC; lymphocytes, monocytes, or other factors (like hemoglobin) do not.