Complete Blood Count Flashcards
Red blood cells
erythrocytes
most abundant in blood
Do men or women have more RBCs?
men
Hematocrit
% of RBC in blood
normal: 4.2-6.2 mil/mm3
What is the function of hemoglobin?
tissue oxygenation carrier
White blood cells
leukocytes
immune function
WBCs
neutrophils
lymphocytes
monocytes
eosinophils
basophils
“never let monkeys eat bananas”
Granulocytes
WBC with granuoles with nucleus
neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils
Agranulocytes
no release of granuoles
lymphocytes, monocytes, macrophages
Neutrophils
first to arrive at site of inflammation
increase with acute bacterial infections and trauma
Which side do neutrophils shift to?
left, increased bands
What is the difference between bands and segments?
bands are immature, segs are mature
Lymphocytes
primary cells with immune response
increase with chronic bacterial infection and acute viral infection
What cells are involved in the immune response?
T and B cells: memory cells
Monocytes
potent phagocytosis cells
increase with bacterial infections and increase in cancer
Eosinophils
increase with allergic reactions or parasitic infections
worms, wheezes, weird diseases
Basophils
increase with allergic reactions, hypersensitivities and inflammatory reactions
Normal hemoglobin levels
women: 12-15.5
men: 13.5-17.5
What are low levels of hemoglobin due to?
bleeding, folate/B12 deficiency, cancers, kidney and liver disease
What are high levels of hemoglobin due to?
smoking, high altitude, COPD, polycythemia
Normal hematocrit levels
women: 36-44%
men: 41-50%
What are low levels of hematocrit due to?
anemia, bleeding disorders, fluid imbalances
What are high levels of hematocrit due to?
polycythemia, COPD, dehydrated, shock, congenital heart failure
Hematocrit relationship
%=mL in 100 mL of blood
WBC total count
normal: 5,000-10,000 mm3
degree of immune response
What is it called when WBCs are increased?
leukocytosis
What is it called when WBCs are decreased?
leukopenia
WBC with Diff
determination of proportion of each 5 WBCs in a sample of 100 WBCs
If the absolute number of a WBC changes, does the % of it in the total change?
no
Leukopenia
decreased WBC, <5,000
susceptible to bacteria infection
most often in cancer patients
What precautions should patients with leukopenia take?
good hygiene
avoid contact with other sick people
avoid raw fruits, veggies and grains
keep door closed in hospital
Infectious Mononucleosis
too many lymphocytes
infection of B lymphocytes
caused by Epstein Barr virus
Who is mono most common in?
adolescents and young adults
What is the main transmission mode for mono?
saliva contamination
What is the onset of mono?
incubation 4-8 weeks
acute phase 2-3 weeks
lethargy 2-3 months
S/Sx of mono
swollen lymph nodes neck and armpits
swollen spleen and liver
fever, body aches, fatigue
Myelodysplastic syndrome
change in quality and quantity of bone marrow elements
unknown cause
Who is Myelodysplastic syndrome most common in?
elderly >65 years
How is Myelodysplastic syndrome diagnosed?
labs, bone marrow biopsy
How is Myelodysplastic syndrome treated?
depends on severity
granulocyte colony stimulating factor
chemo
bone marrow transplant
Leukemia
WBC immature and undifferentiated
rapid proliferation in bone marrow
affects children and adults
cause is unknown
Who does acute lymphocytic leukemia affect most?
children
refuse to walk
sudden, stormy onset
Who does chronic lymphocytic leukemia affect most?
elderly
insidious onset, not quick
discovered by medical exam for blood count
Treatment for leukemia
attain remission
stem cell transplants
bone marrow transplants
cytotoxic chemo
S/Sx of leukemia
fatigue
weight loss
sweating
bleeding
anorexia
Hodgkin’s disease
malignant neoplasm
painless, progressive, rubbery enlargement of a single or group of nodes in neck
*Reed Stenberg tumor cells
cause is unknown
Is the spread predictable or unpredictable for Hodgkin’s disease?
predictable
Onset of Hodgkin’s disease
slow, good prognosis
Non Hodgkin’s disease
neoplastic malignancy
spreads in liver, spleen, bone marrow
painless extranodal symptoms
Is the spread predictable or unpredictable for Non Hodgkin’s disease?
less predictable
Who is Non Hodgkin’s disease common in?
elderly
Multiple myeloma
plasma cell cancer
malignant B cells
leads to bone destruction
unknown cause
What is multiple myeloma characterized by?
bone fractures/pain
Who is multiple myeloma common in?
men over 65 years
african americans
How is multiple myeloma diagnosed?
labs
radiography
bone marrow exam
M protein
Bence Jones protein in urine
elevated Cr serum levels
