Blood and Clotting Flashcards
“The fluid of life”
Blood and Plasma
Carries oxygen to tissues and carbon dioxide away
Respiratory
Carries nutrients
Nutritional
Carries waste products from metabolism
Excretory
Transports hormones to target organs
Regulatory
Carries defence cells to protect the body
Defensive
Derived from stem cells. Make up 45% of blood
Red Blood Cells (Erythrocytes)
Formed Elements
- Red blood cells
- White blood cells
- Platelets
How long do RBSs circulate before they are replaced?
120 days, approx. 1120 km
Primary role is defence. Also called leukocytes
White Blood Cells
Contain enzymes and other substances important for clotting
Platelets
If Rh proteins on surface of red blood cells…
Rh+
No Rh proteins on red blood cells
Rh-
caused by the destruction of red blood cells (RBCs) of the neonate or fetus by maternal immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies
Erythroblastosis Fetalis
Treatable with proper prenatal care, mother received a shot to stop making the Rh antibodies
RhoGAM
What if the baby is Rh-?
No problem because there are no Rh antigens to induce an antibody creation in either a RH- or Rh+ mother
What if the baby is Rh+?
The baby’s immune system is not yet developed enough to create antibodies to the mother’s Rh+ antigens, so again no problem
Stages of Hemostasis
- Vascular phase
- Platelet plug formation
- Coagulation or blood clotting
Drugs Affecting Blood Clotting Mechanisms
- Anticoagulants
- Platelet inhibitors
- Thrombolytic
