CBC And Related Patho Flashcards
Do you have to request a differential for a CBC
Yes
Is fasting required for a CBC
No
*collection of blood should be fresh <3 hours old
Where are RBC, WBC, and platelets formed
In the bone marrow
“The factory”
What are the functions of RBC, WBC, Hgb, Hematocrit, and platelets
RBC: carry oxygen
WBC: fight infection
Hgb: O2 carrying protein in RBC
Hematocrit: proportion of red blood cells to plasma
Platelets: cells which help with blood clotting
What does a differential include?
- WBC types
*lymphocytes
*monocytes
*neutrophils
*eosinophils
What are granulocytes
- Neutrophils
- Basophils
- Eosinophils
What is leukocytosis and leukopenia?
Leukocytosis: WBC elevation (think inflammation, infection)
Leukopenia: Low WBC (think autoimmune issues, chemo, bone marrow problems)
What is the critical values of WBC
<2 or >40,000
What should you do if the WBC are high on the CBC
Look at the differential
What should you think of if the neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, and eosinophils are elevated?
N (immature bands/mature segs): bacterial/progenitor infection
*bands are bad
L: viral, TB
M: viral, TB
E: allergy, parasite, fungal infection
What is another term for RBC count?
Erythrocyte count
*represent the # of RBC in the system
What are the trends of RBC relating to gender
W: lower RBC values
M: higher RBC values
What is anemia
When the value of RBC is decreased below the expected normal range
What are some causes of low RBC
- Hemorrhage
- Hemolysis (G6PD deficiency)
- Dietary deficiency
- Genetic aberrations
- Normal pregnancy
- Drug ingestion
- Marrow failure
- Chronic illness
- Organ failure
What are some causes of high RBC
- High altitudes
- Congenital heart disease
- Severe COPD
- Polycythemia Vera
- Drugs
*1,2,3 have low O2 levels therefore RBCs are stimulated to increase O2
What is polycythemia Vera
Neoplastic condition causing uncontrolled RBC production by bone marrow (will increase RBC)
What causes alteration of RBC count
- Dehydration
*total blood volume is contracted thus RBC is more conc - Over-hydration
*conc is diluted RBC is falsely low
What does Hbg measure
- The total amount of Hgb in peripheral blood
*should be repeated serially in patients with ongoing bleeding
*apart of anemia eval
What are the trends with hbg and gender?
W: lower
M:higher
*levels decrease with age
*abnl values indicate pathological state same as abnl RBC r
What can interfere with Hbg
- Heavy smoking
- High altitudes
- Drugs
- Dehydration and over hydration
What are the critical values of Hgb
<7 or >21g/dL
What makes the decision for a blood transfusion
Based on Hgb and Hct
*<7.5g/dL or Hct <24%
*if the patient is unstable dont wait to reach below 8
What are the consequence of too little Hgb
- Strain cardiopulmonary system to compensate
*angina, MI, CHF, stroke
What are the consequence of too high Hgb
Sludging from increased numbers of RBCs *Stroke, organ infarction