To perform a blood smear, a healthcare provider will: 1. Prick the child's finger or draw blood from a vein. 2. Place a drop of blood on a glass slide. 3. Use another slide to spread the blood thinly. 4. Allow the slide to dry. 5. Stain the slide with special dyes to differentiate between different types of cells. 6. Examine the slide under a microscope.
