Blood, Lymphatic and Immune Systems

Question 1

Define: chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
Think of definition, aetiology, symptoms, treatment.

Answer 1

A neoplasm of blood-forming tissues, where B-lymphocytes proliferate in the bone marrow, blood, liver and lymphoid organs.

Symptoms - enlarged lymph nodes, malaise, fatigue, anorexia, weight loss and nocturnal sweating.

• rarely seen in under 35’s
• usually develops over 10 years or more

Question 2

Define: Splenomegaly
Think of definition, aetiology, symptoms, treatment.

Answer 2

Enlargement of the spleen

Aetiology (cause) - infections, liver diseases, leukaemia, lymphoma and types of anaemia

Symptoms - pain and tenderness in the left upper quadrant

Treatment - varied and aimed at the cause of the disease, but sometimes a splenectomy is required.

Question 3

Define: Haemophilia
Think of definition, aetiology, symptoms, treatment.

Answer 3

An inherited disorder of blood coagulation characterised by a tendency to experience spontaneous or traumatic haemorrhages, usually internally into the joints or muscles.

• over time the bleeding can cause severe arthritis and chronic pain

Aetiology (cause): A defect in one of the factors involved in the blood coagulating mechanism.
Symptoms: Easy bruising from an early age / greater than normal bleeding following an injury or surgery + other heavy bleeding (menstruation, pregnancy)

Question 4

Define: non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Think of definition, aetiology, symptoms, treatment.

Answer 4

(Can also be called B-cell or T-cell lymphoma)

A group of malignant tumours of the lymphocytes without the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells (defining factor between Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s)

Symptoms: painless swelling of a lymph node, unexplained fevers, loss of appetite, tiredness, itchy skin

Treatment options: Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, stem cell transplants and immunotherapy

Question 5

Define: Thalassaemia
Think of definition, aetiology, symptoms, treatment.

Answer 5

A genetic / inherited blood disorder caused by a fault in the production rate of haemoglobin in the blood. Occurs when there’s a fault in the alpha or beta haemoglobin gene which can cause minor or major illness. (Usually affects people of Mediterranean descent).

Symptoms: Tiredness, weakness, dizziness and shortness of breath, dark urine, swollen belly, pale or yellow skin

Treatment: Regular blood transfusions followed by medication to remove the excess iron caused by the blood transfusions.

Question 6

Define this abbreviation: AXR (2 words)

Answer 6

Abdominal X-ray

Question 7

Define this abbreviation: LUQ (3 words)

Answer 7

Left upper quadrant

Question 8

Define this abbreviation: CT (2 words)

Answer 8

Computed tomography

Question 9

Define this abbreviation: PTT (3 words)

Answer 9

Partial thromboplastin time

Question 10

Define this abbreviation: DIC (3 words)

Answer 10

Disseminated intravascular coagulation

Question 11

Define this abbreviation: AML (3 words)

Answer 11

Acute myeloid leukaemia

Question 12

Define this abbreviation: PLTS (1 word)

Answer 12

Platelets

Question 13

Define this abbreviation: WCC (3 words)

Answer 13

White cell count

Question 14

Define this abbreviation: ESR (3 words)

Answer 14

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate

Question 15

Define this abbreviation: RCC (3 words)

Answer 15

Red cell count

Question 16

Name the condition where you experience multiple pinpoint haemorrhages and accumulation of blood under the skin: (1 word)

Answer 16

Purpura

Question 17

Name the condition where there’s a failure of blood cell production due to aplasia (absense of developmental, formation) of bone marrow cells: (2 words)

Answer 17

Aplastic anaemia

Question 18

What is the name given to a malignant tumour of bone marrow? (2 words)

Answer 18

Multiple myeloma

Question 19

What is the name given for an abnormally low white cell count? (1 word)

Answer 19

Leukopenia

Question 20

Name the condition where there’s chronic swelling due to accumulation of interstitial fluid secondary to obstruction of lymphatic channels? (1 word)

Answer 20

Lymphoedema

Question 21

Name the product that aids in blood clotting? (1 word)

Answer 21

Fibrinogen

Question 22

Lymph flows from capillaries into these? (2 words)

Answer 22

Lymph vessels

Question 23

Name the liquid connective tissue that transports materials to and from the cells of the body? (1 word)

Answer 23

Blood

Question 24

White blood cells are also called these? (1 word)

Answer 24

Leukocytes

Question 25

Lymph vessels flow through these? (2 words)

Answer 25

Lymph nodes

Question 26

Name the process of normal blood clotting? (1 word)

Answer 26

Haemostatis

Question 27

Name the organ that filters the blood and lymph flowing through it? (1 word)

Answer 27

Spleen

Question 28

Name the lymphocytes that mature in the bone marrow? (1 word, first part is a single letter followed by a dash and a word)

Answer 28

B-lymphocytes

Question 29

What organ secretes thymosin? (1 word)

Answer 29

Thymus

Question 30

What cells clump together to plug small holes in damaged blood vessels? (1 word)

Answer 30

Platelets