An Overview of Clinical Laboratory Hematology Flashcards
The average human possesses how many liters of blood.
5 liters
Liquid portion of the blood
Plasma
Functions of plasma
Provides coagulation enzymes; maintain circulation
Transports and nourishes blood cells
Three categories of blood cells
Red blood cells (RBCs), or erythrocytes
White blood cells (WBCs), or leukocytes
Platelets (PLTs), or thrombocytes
Study of blood cells
Hematology
Most common hematology test
Complete blood count (CBC)
Foundation method/stain for blood cell identification
Romanowsky stain
Giulo Bizzozero described platelets as
Petites plaque
The scientific term for cell appearance
Morphology
Characteristics of erythrocytes
Anucleated
Biconcave
Discoid
Reddish
Function of erythrocytes
Transports oxygen and carbon dioxide
Diameter of erythrocytes
7 to 8 um
The loss of oxygen-carrying capacity of RBC
Anemia
Anemia may be caused by
Reduced RBC count or decreased RBC hemoglobin concentration
Increased RBC count reflecting increased circulating RBC mass, a condition that leads to hyperviscosity
Polycythemia
History: Dilution ratio used for RBC counting
1:200
History: Glass pipette used to dilute RBCs for counting
Thomas pipette
Principle of Coulter counter
Direct current electrical impedance
Reagent used for hemoglobin measurement
Drabkin reagent
Ratio of the volume of packed RBCs to the volume of whole blood
Hematocrit
Normal ratio of hematocrit
50%
Hematocrit is also called
Packed cell volume (PCV)
Light-colored layer between the RBCs and plasma
Buffy coat
Composition of buffy coat
WBCs & platelets
RBC indices
Mean cell volume (MCV)
Mean cell hemoglobin (MCH)
Mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC)
Volume measurement recorded in femtoliters (fL), reflects RBC diameter
Mean cell volume
Expressed in grams per deciliter (g/dL), reflects RBC staining intensity and amount of central pallor
Mean cell hemoglobin concentration
In picograms (pg) expresses the mass of hemoglobin per cell
Mean cell hemoglobin
Expresses the degree of variation in RBC volume
RBC distribution width (RDW)
Variation in size of blood cells
Anisocytosis
Microscope used to visually review RBC
Light microscope
Light microscope magnification to visually review RBC
500x or 1000x
RBC production site
Red bone marrow
Stain used to differentiate and count young RBCs
Methylene blue
Methylene blue is called
Nucleic acid stain or vital stain
Dyes absorbed by live cells
Supravital / vital stains
Young RBCs are called
Reticulocytes
Young RBCs contain:
Ribonucleic acid (RNA)
Cells dedicated to protecting their host from infection and injury
White blood cells
Dilution ratio used for counting WBCs
1:20
WBC diluent for counting
Dilute acid solution
Function of WBC diluent
Lyses RBCs for easier counting of WBCs
Decreased WBC count
Leukopenia
Increased WBC count
Leukocytosis
Stain used to differentiate WBC types
Wright stain
Color of the cytoplasm of neutrophils
Pink or lavender staining
Phagocytic cells whose major purpose is to engulf and destroy microorganisms and foreign material
Neutrophils
Decreased neutrophil count
Neutropenia