Final answer:
A CBC w/ Diff is a blood test that includes a count of overall white blood cells and a breakdown of each type of white blood cell. This test is crucial for diagnosing infections, anemia, leukemia, and monitoring overall health.
Step-by-step explanation:
A complete blood count with differential (CBC w/ Diff) includes a total count of white blood cells (WBCs) and a breakdown of the different types of white blood cells present in the blood. This breakdown is referred to as the Differential White Blood Cell Count ("Diff"), and professionals perform it by creating a blood smear. The smear is stained, typically with Wright-Giemsa stain, which helps in identifying and counting different types of WBCs such as neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils under a microscope.
The main diagnostic purpose of a CBC w/ Diff is to assess and monitor the overall health and to detect a wide range of disorders, including infections, anemia, and leukemia. It provides valuable information about the body's immune response and helps in diagnosing infections or other hematologic abnormalities.