Common Blood Disorders (9/24a) [Biomedical Sciences 1]

Question 1

Hematologic System

Answer 1

Blood, capillaries, arteries

Organs involved with blood flow

Very diffuse and systemic

Question 2

Composition of blood

Answer 2

8% of total body weight is blood

45% is blood cells (formed elements)

• Mostly red blood cells (erythrocytes) (>99%)
• Also white blood cells (leukocytes) (<1%), platelets (<1%)

55% is plasma
-Made of water (91%), proteins (7%), and other solutes (2%)

Question 3

Functions of hematologic system

Answer 3

Delivery of substances (oxygen, iron, etc) for cellular function

Removal of wastes

Immune function

Injury repair

Maintain acid/base balance

Question 4

Hematopoiesis

Answer 4

Creation of blood cells

Occurs primarily in the bone marrow in adults

Starts with hematopoietic stem cells

Pluripotent - differentiate into variety of cell types

Question 5

Erythrocyte (Red Blood Cell, RBC)

Answer 5

Most common type of blood cell

Principal function - delivering oxygen via hemoglobin

Life span is about 90-120 days

Biconcave shape allows it to be flexible

Question 6

Hemoglobin (HGB)

Answer 6

Protein within red blood cells

Required for formation:
Iron, Vitamin B12, Folic Acid

Binds and transports oxygen

Critical value: <8.0 g/dL
- <7.0 g/dL will receive transfusion

Question 7

Hematocrit (HCT)

Answer 7

Percent of blood volume made up of red blood cells

Can be calculated → Hemoglobin x 3 = Hematocrit

Question 8

Anemia - Overview

Answer 8

low levels of RBC, HGB, HCT

most common blood disorder - affects >3 mil

Due to deficiency of Iron/Vit B12/Folate, blood loss, hemolysis, bone marrow failure, etc.

Question 9

Erythrocytosis/Polycythemia - Overview

Answer 9

high levels of RBC, HGB, HCT

Can occur in any hypoxic state

Due to lung disease, smoking, high altitudes, dehydration, polycythemia vera

Question 10

Anemia

Answer 10

SIGNS: increased HR, lightheadedness, chest pain, SOB, tachycardia, tachypnea

PRECAUTIONS: frequent symptom check, Hb<7-8 slow movements

CONTRAINDICATIONS: rapid change in hemoglobin, Hb<7

Question 11

Anemia - Types

Answer 11

Iron deficiency

Vit B12 and Folate deficiencies

Blood loss anemia

Anemia of chronic disease

Bone marrow failure

Sickle cell anemia

Question 12

Sickle Cell Disease

Answer 12

SIGNS: musculoskeletal pain (esp. chest pain)

PRECAUTIONS: avoid dehydration, overexertion, hypoxia, cryotherapy

CONTRAINDICATIONS: acute sickle cell crisis

Question 13

Leukopenia

Answer 13

SIGNS: fever

PRECAUTIONS: gloves, masks, hand washing, sterilize all equipment

Question 14

Bleeding Disorders

Answer 14

SIGNS: joint pain, swelling, bruising, increased HR, decreased BP

PRECAUTIONS: no active grade V manipulations, fall precautions

CONTRAINDICATIONS: active bleedings, ADLs only when platelets <20k

Question 15

Clotting Disorders

Answer 15

SIGNS: calf pain, swelling, redness, chest pain, SOB, hypoxia, increased HR

CONTRAINDICATIONS: suspected pulmonary emboli, not on anticoagulant, unstable vital signs

Question 16

Leukocyte (White Blood Cell, WBC)

Answer 16

Principle function: immune and inflammatory responses

Normal Range: 5,000 – 10,000 cells/mcL

Differential – multiple types of white blood cells

Question 17

WBC - Neutrophil

Answer 17

respond to bacterial infections

Question 18

WBC - Lymphocyte

Answer 18

respond to viral infections

Question 19

WBC - Monocyte

Answer 19

innate immune system

Question 20

WBC - Eosinophil

Answer 20

parasitic infections and allergic reactions

Question 21

WBC - Basophil

Answer 21

inflammatory mediator

Question 22

Leukopenia - Overview

Answer 22

low levels of WBC

Due to aplastic anemia, sepsis, viral infection, malignancy, medications, genetic

Question 23

Leukocytosis - Overview

Answer 23

high levels of WBC

Due to bacterial infection, inflammation, stress, trauma, medications, malignancy

Question 24

Leukopenia/Neutropenia

Answer 24

Increased susceptibility to infections

Particularly notable when absolute neutrophil count (ANC) <1000

Precautions: hand hygiene, sterilize equipment, wear PPE

Question 25

4 main types of leukemias

Answer 25

Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (most common in kids, good prognosis)

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (poor prognosis)

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (most common in adults, slow progression)

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (“Philadelphia chromosome”

Question 26

Lymphomas vs Leukemias

Answer 26

lymphomas are similar to lymphocytic leukemias, but involve lymphatic organs
(thymus, spleen, lymph node)

Question 27

2 main types of lymphomas

Answer 27

Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Hodgkin’s disease (young adults, good prognosis w chemo)

Question 28

Platelets

Answer 28

Principle function: hemostasis and inflammatory response

Not truly a blood cell → they are little pieces of cytoplasm (megakaryocytes)

Normal range: 140,000 – 400,000

Life span ~7 – 10 days

too few = easy bleed
too many = clots

Question 29

Thrombocytopenia - Overview

Answer 29

low levels of platelets

Consumption, Sequestration, Dilution

risk of easy bleeding/bruising

<20k only ADLs
20-50k light exertion, aerobic, aquatic
<100k limit heavy resistance

Question 30

Thrombocytosis - Overview

Answer 30

high levels of platelets

Essential, Reactive, Polycythemia vera

stroke, chest pain, weakness

Too many platelets → clots

Question 31

Blood Disorders

Answer 31

Hemostasis

Von Willebrand disease

Hemophilia

Question 32

Clotting Disorders

Answer 32

Virchow’s Triad

Venous Thromboembolism (DVT and PE)

Factor V Leiden

Protein C and/or S deficiency