ch 10 vocab Flashcards
anemia
A blood disorder characterized by a deficiency of red blood cells and/or hemoglobin, leading to decreased oxygen delivery to body tissues and symptoms like fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, and pale skin.
anticoagulant
A substance or medication that prevents or reduces coagulation of blood, thereby prolonging the clotting time
apheresis
A procedure where a specific component of blood is removed from a donor, and the remaining components are returned to the donor
aplastic anemia
A bone marrow condition causing insufficient production of red blood cells
basophils
The least common type of white blood cell, playing a role in inflammatory responses, particularly those involving allergic reactions.
bilirubin
A yellow compound that occurs in the normal catabolic pathway that breaks down heme in vertebrates. High levels in the bloodstream can lead to jaundice
blood product
Components of blood, such as red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma, used for transfusions.
blood transfusion
A procedure that enables the transfer of blood products from one person to another.
bone marrow
The soft, spongy tissue found inside bones, responsible for the production of blood cells
bone marrow aspiration
The extraction of a small sample of liquid bone marrow for laboratory analysis to diagnose severe blood disorders like leukemia.
bone marrow biopsy
Obtaining a core of bone and marrow tissue for examining the bone marrow space, often performed with bone marrow aspiration.
bone marrow transplant
A treatment for severe hematological diseases or cancers like leukemia, involving the replacement of a patient’s bone marrow with healthy stem cells from a donor
CBC with differential
A CBC test that includes an additional measurement of the different types of white blood cells, such as neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils.
coagulation
The process of blood clotting, an essential part of hemostasis, involving the transformation of blood from a liquid to a gel to stop bleeding.
complete blood count (CBC)
A blood test that provides a comprehensive assessment of various blood components, including red and white blood cells, platelets, hematocrit, and hemoglobin
contusion
A bruise that occurs when small veins and capillaries under the skin break, releasing blood into the surrounding tissue
embolism
A condition where an embolus becomes trapped in a blood vessel, potentially causing a heart attack, stroke, or pulmonary embolism
embolus
A piece of a thrombus that has broken free and travels through the bloodstream, potentially causing blockage in blood vessels of major organs
eosinophils
White blood cells involved in the response to allergic reactions, asthma, and infection with parasites
erythrocytes
Red blood cells, which are responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to the body’s tissues and carbon dioxide as a waste product, away from the tissues and back to the lungs
erythropoietin (EPO)
A hormone produced by the kidneys that promotes the formation of red blood cells by the bone marrow.
fibrin
A fibrous protein formed during blood clotting, essential for the formation of a stable blood clot
fibrinolysis
The process that breaks down fibrin in blood clots, playing a crucial role in preventing blood clots from growing and becoming problematic
hematocrit (HCT)
A blood test that measures the percentage of the volume of whole blood that is made up of red blood cells
hematologist
A physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of blood disorders
hematology
The study of blood, blood components, and blood-forming organs, focusing on their role in health and disease
hematoma
A collection or pooling of blood outside the blood vessel caused by an injury
hemoglobin
A protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body and returns carbon dioxide from the body to the lungs
hemolysis
The destruction or breakdown of red blood cells, leading to the release of hemoglobin into the surrounding fluid
hemolytic disease of the newborn
condition occurring when an Rh-negative mother’s immune system attacks Rh positive fetal red blood cells, potentially leading to fetal death without treatment
hemophilia
A genetic disorder in which blood doesn’t clot normally due to deficient or abnormal clotting factors
hemorrhage
Excessive bleeding that cannot be controlled by hemostasis and is considered a medical emergency
hemostasis
The process of blood clot formation at the site of vessel injury. It involves three steps: vascular spasm, formation of a platelet plug, and blood clotting (coagulation)
hepatomegaly
Enlargement of the liver, which can be caused by liver disease, cancer, and excess alcohol intake
international normalized ratio (INR)
A calculation based on the PT used to ensure test results from different labs are comparable; it’s particularly important for patients on anticoagulant medication like warfarin
iron deficiency anemia
The most common type of anemia, caused by a lack of dietary iron needed for sufficient production of hemoglobin.
jaundice
A yellowish discoloration of the skin and eyes, usually caused by impaired liver function that affects the metabolism of bilirubin
leukemia
Cancer of the bone marrow and the body’s blood- forming tissues, characterized by an abundance of nonfunctional leukocytes (white blood cells)
leukocytes
White blood cells, which are part of the immune system and help the body to fight infection and other diseases
leukocytosis
Excessive leukocyte (white blood cell) production, often with nonfunctional cells, leading to increased risk of infection
leukopenia
A condition where too few leukocytes (white blood cells) are produced, impacting the individual’s ability to fight off disease
liver
A vital organ that plays multiple roles in digestion, metabolism, and hemostasis, including the production of bile and the storage of blood and blood cells
lymphocytes
A subtype of white blood cells found in the lymphatic system, playing a large role in the immune response
lymphoma
A type of cancer where masses of malignant lymphocytes (white blood cells) collect in lymph nodes, the spleen, the liver, and other tissues
medical laboratory assistants (MLA)
Professionals who assist in preparing, testing, and processing specimen samples
medical laboratory scientists (MLS)
Professionals who perform complex analyses of tissue, blood, and other body fluids
medical technologist (MT)
A medical professional who tests and analyzes blood, other body fluids, and tissue samples
megaloblastic anemia
Involves a deficiency of vitamin B12 and/or folate, often due to inadequate dietary intake
monocytes
A type of white blood cell that engulfs and digests cellular debris, foreign substances, microbes, and cancer cells
neutrophils
A type of white blood cell that helps heal damaged tissues and resolve infections
pancytopenia
A reduction of all types of blood components including red and white blood cells, and platelets.
partial thromboplastin time (PTT)
A blood test that measures a specific group of clotting factors and is used to diagnose clotting disorders or monitor patients on anticoagulants
pernicious anemia
Caused by poor absorption of vitamin B12 in the gastrointestinal tract
phlebotomist
A medical professional trained to withdraw blood or perform blood transfusions
phlebotomy
The practice of drawing blood from a vein, typically for laboratory testing or blood donation
plasma
The liquid component of blood in which the blood cells and other components are suspended. It plays a vital role in maintaining blood pressure and regulating body temperature
platelets
Also known as thrombocytes, these are small, colorless cell fragments in the blood whose main function is to react to bleeding from blood vessel injury by clumping, thereby initiating a blood clot
polycythemia
Refers to an elevated red blood cell count, which can be a normal response to living at high altitudes
polycythemia vera
A bone marrow disease causing excessive production of immature red blood cells and other blood components, increasing blood viscosity
prothrombin time (PT)
A blood test that measures how long it takes blood to clot, used to check for bleeding problems or the effects of anticoagulants
red blood cells (RBCs)
Cells in the blood that carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body and return carbon dioxide from the body to the lungs for exhalation
Rh factor
An antigen found on red blood cells; individuals can be Rh positive (Rh+) if they have the antigen or Rh negative (Rh−) if they lack it.
Rh negative (Ph-)
Individuals who lack the Rh factor antigen on their red blood cells
RhoGAM
A medication administered to Rh negative mothers during pregnancy and after birth to prevent the development of Rh antibodies, thereby averting hemolytic disease of the newborn in Rh positive fetuses
Rh positive (Rh+)
Individuals who have the Rh factor antigen present on their red blood cells
sickle cell anemia
A genetic disorder that causes red blood cells to assume a sickle shape, which can block blood flow and cause serious problems in organs throughout the body
spleen
An organ that serves as a storage site for red blood cells (RBCs) and platelets, filters antigens, and plays a role in the destruction of old RBCs and the breakdown of hemoglobin
splenectomy
Surgical removal of the spleen, which can lead to reduced immune function and an increased risk of infection
splenomegaly
Enlargement of the spleen, which can occur due to various reasons such as systemic infection, sickle cell disease, or cancer
stem cell transplant
Another term for bone marrow transplant, involving the replacement of diseased bone marrow with healthy stem cells
thalassemia
An inherited condition typically occurring in individuals from specific regions, characterized by abnormal maturation of red blood cells
thrombocytes
Also known as platelets, these are blood cells responsible for blood clotting
thrombocytopenia
A condition where there is an insufficient number of platelets, leading to ineffective blood clotting and potential for excessive bleeding
thrombocytosis
A condition characterized by an abnormally high number of platelets in the blood, which can lead to thrombosis
thrombolysis
The process of dissolving a blood clot, often achieved with medications like tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)
thrombosis
The formation of a thrombus, a blood clot, within a blood vessel, potentially causing obstruction of blood flow
thrombus
A blood clot composed of platelets, red and white blood cells, and fibrin strands, potentially leading to decreased blood flow or life-threatening obstruction in blood vessels
viscosity
Refers to the state of being thick, sticky, and easily coagulable, as seen in conditions like polycythemia vera
white blood cells (WBCs)
Cells of the immune system involved in protecting the body against both infectious disease and foreign invaders
