Q: All blood tests, including the CBC and other panels and tests, must include certain basic elements including: your name and health ID, date the test was completed and printed, names of the test(s), lab and doctor who ordered the test, actual test results, normal range for results, flagged abnormal results and, of course, lots of abbreviations and units of measurement. For people not in the healthcare field, any blood test can look intimidating and confusing, but take your time and identify all these basic elements and how they're arranged among headings and within vertical columns. Once you're familiar with how blood tests are presented, you can quickly scan the page for the flagged abnormal results (if there are any), which will be labelled as either "L" for too low, or "H" for too high. You don't need to memorize the normal ranges of any measured component because they will always be printed alongside your test results as a handy reference. As noted above, the main cells of your blood are red and white blood cells. RBCs contain hemoglobin, which carries oxygen to all the tissues of the body. WBCs are part of the immune system and help to destroy pathogenic microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria and parasites. A low RBC count may suggest anemia (resulting in not enough oxygen getting to tissues), although too many RBCs (termed erythrocytosis) may indicate bone marrow disease. A low WBC count (termed leukopenia) may also suggest a bone marrow problem or side effect of taking medications, chemotherapy especially. On the other hand, a high WBC count (termed leukocytosis) usually signifies that your body is fighting an infection. Some drugs, especially steroids, can also increase the WBC count. Normal RBC ranges are different between men and women. Men typically have 20-25% more RBCs because they tend to be larger and have more muscle tissue, which requires more oxygen. Hematocrit (the percentage of your blood made up by RBCs) and mean corpuscular volume (average volume of RBCs) are two ways of measuring RBCs and both values are normally higher in men because of their higher oxygen needs. Two other components in the blood mentioned in a CBC are platelets and hemoglobin. As noted above, hemoglobin is an iron-based molecule that grabs onto oxygen as blood circulates through the lungs, whereas platelets are a part of the body's blood clotting system and help prevent excessive bleeding from injuries. Not enough hemoglobin (due to iron deficiency or bone marrow disease) leads to anemia, whereas a low platelet count (termed thrombocytopenia) may be the result of prolonged external or internal bleeding from a traumatic injury or other medical conditions. On the other hand, a high platelet count (termed thrombocytosis) suggests a bone marrow problem or severe inflammation. Levels of both RBCs and hemoglobin are connected because hemoglobin is carried inside RBCs, although it's possible to have malformed RBCs without hemoglobin (termed sickle cell anemia). Many compounds "thin" the blood, which means that they inhibit platelet stickiness and prevent blood clotting. Common blood thinners include: alcohol, many types of drugs (ibuprofen, aspirin, heparin), garlic and parsley. A CBC also includes levels of eosinophil (Eos), polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC).
A: Know how all blood tests are formatted and presented. Distinguish between blood cells and what abnormal results may indicate. Realize the functions of other basic elements in the blood.

Q: Flip your shirt inside out so that you can see the stain. Take the hem of the shirt and rub it over the stain. Alternate between using a circular motion and an up-and-down motion. Be sure to use the inside of your shirt to rub the stain, in case the stain transfers. Make sure that the stain is dry first, then rub it with a dryer sheet. If you cannot find a dryer sheet, try using a pair of nylons instead. Rub the stain using a circular and an up-and-down motion. You can also use a sock to buff the stain away. Turn a sock inside out, and buff the stain with it until it disappears. Run some hot water over a cloth (such as a towel or clean rag), and add a few drops of soap. Massage the cloth to get the soap into the fibers, then rub it over the stain. After a few minutes, the stain should be gone. If there is soap on your shirt, dip the cloth into clean water, and rub the area until the soap disappears. If you do not have access to water, try using a baby wipe or a makeup remover wipe. Purchase a magic eraser sponge from the cleaning section of a grocery or department store. Dampen the sponge and squeeze out any excess water. Rub the stain using an up-and-down motion. Fill your sink with water, and add in the amount of stain remover specified on the label. Put your shirt into the sink and let it soak. For light stains, leave the shirt in the water for an hour; for heavier stains, leave the shirt overnight. Once the shirt is done soaking, wash it in the laundry machine as usual. You can also try using a stain remover pen or spray. Both can be purchased in the laundry department of a grocery store. Mix some baking soda with just enough water to make a paste. Massage the paste into the stain and leave it there for one hour. Wash the paste off using cold water, then wash your shirt in the laundry machine. Mix one part white vinegar with one part water. Soak the stain with this solution, and rub it between your fingers. If the stain is heavy, soak the shirt in the solution for a few hours. Once you are done, wash the shirt in the laundry machine.
A: Rub the stain with another part of the shirt. Rub the stain with a dryer sheet or a pair of nylons. Scrub the stain away with a damp, soapy cloth. Buff the stain away with a magic eraser. Try using a store bought stain remover. Clean the stain with a paste made from baking soda and water. Wash the stain with vinegar and water.

Q: Choose fabric or ribbon that has a pattern that you like. Use fabric scissors to trim it down to the correct size. Try your best to make all the strips the same size so that your flip-flops look balanced. Cotton, linen, polyester, and velvet fabric all work well for this activity. To completely cover the straps of your flip-flops, you will need about 20 strips. Position the middle point of the strips under the straps of your flip-flops. Then, tie a double-knot to secure the fabric in place. Pull the knot firmly to make sure that it is tight. Tie half the strips onto 1 strap and then tie the other half onto the second strap. Any secure knot will work for this task. Feel free to use your favorite. Push and pull the tied fabric strips up and down the flip flop straps. Try to arrange them with even spaces between each tie to create a balanced look. Over time, the fabric ties will likely move and you will need to readjust them. Put your flip-flops on and go for a short walk around your home. If you find that you trip over the fabric, trim off any excess fabric so that it doesn't drag on the floor and cause you to trip over. Cut the fabric on a slight diagonal angle to help prevent it from fraying. Place a 1.5 inches (3.8cm) balloon under the strap and double-knot it above to secure it in place. Repeat this process with small balloons until all the straps are covered. You will need about 40 balloons to cover adult-sized flip-flops. If you don't have any small balloons, use water balloons instead. Don't blow the balloons up.
A:
Cut fabric or ribbon into 1 inch (2.5cm) x 8 inches (20cm) strips. Tie the fabric or ribbon onto the straps of your flip-flops. Adjust the positioning of the strips so that they look even. Trim the fabric, if necessary. Use small balloons instead of ribbon or fabric for a bright colourful look.