A histologist has stained a blood sample but the basophils have poor definition. What action would improve the definition?

To improve the definition of basophils in a stained blood sample, reducing the time between preparing the smear and fixation is crucial. When blood smears are left unprocessed for too long before fixation, the cells may degrade or lose structural integrity, which can lead to poor staining characteristics. Fixation stabilizes the cellular components and minimizes degradation, allowing for clearer distinctions between the different cellular elements, including basophils.

This action ensures that the cellular morphology is preserved as much as possible, which is essential for achieving sharp and well-defined cellular structures in the stained smear. A quick fixation helps in maintaining the contrast between the basophils and other blood cells, enhancing their visibility.

Adjusting stain concentration, using a different stain, or thickening the smear may alter the overall quality of the stain or the appearance of the cells, but they do not specifically address the issue of cellular integrity and morphology preservation that is crucial for improving definition in the microscopy of blood cells.