DIS - General Health Assessment - Week 10 Flashcards
List the 8 components of a full blood count.
Haemoglobin (Hb)
Red blood cell count (RBC)
Percentage of blood cells as a proportion of total blood volume (PCV)
Volume of red blood cells (MCV)
Average amount of haemoglobin in red blood cells (MCHC)
Number of white blood cells (WCC)
Percentage of different types of white blood cells
Number of platelets
Define haematocrit.
Percentage of blood cells as a proportion of total blood volume (PCV)
How is haemoglobin measured and in what kind of conditions is it elevated? Give an example.
Weight per volume
Elevated in polycythaemia conditions such as leukaemia
List four conditions where there can be reduced haemoglobin.
Anaemia
Blood loss
Autoimmune disease
Low iron intake
Is haemoglobin a broad or narrow marker?
Broad
What is the normal haemoglobin levels for adult males and females?
Male - 130 to 170g/L
Female - 120 to 150g/L
List three conditions that can cause reduced red blood cell count (RCC).
Anaemia
Bleeds (i.e. bowel)
Bone marrow dysfunction
Deficiency in what two vitamins or minerals can cause reduced red blood cell count (RCC)?
Vitamin B12
Iron
What condition can cause increased red blood cell count (RCC).
Polycythaemia - leukaemia
What is the normal red blood cell count for adult males and females?
Male - 4.5 to 5.5
Female - 3.8 to 4.8
What condition can cause increased haematocrit/packed cell volume? What about decreased?
Low - anaemia
High - polycythaemia vera
Does dehydration cause high or low haematocrit/packed cell volume?
High
What is polycythaemia vera and what does it cause overproduction of? Is it common or rare in individuals >60?
Condition of the bone marrow causing over production of red blood cells
List four systemic symptoms of polycythaemia vera.
Fatigue
Headache
Itching
Weight loss
List two ocular symptoms of polycythaemia vera.
Retinal vein occlusions
Cotton wool patches
What is the treatment for polycythaemia vera (3)?
No cure
Treatment by phlebotomy, chemotherapy, interferons
Is polycythaemia vera a life threatening disease?
Yes, without treatment
What is the normal haematocrit for males and females?
Males - 40 to 50%
Females - 36 to 46%
List two causes of low mean cell volume (MCV).
Iron deficient anaemia
Pregnancy
List three causes of high mean cell volume (MCV).
B12 deficiency
Liver disease
Alcoholism
What is pernicious anaemia caused by?
B12 deficiency
List four causes of low mean cell haemoglobin and mean cell haemoglobin concentration.
Anaemia caused by chronic disease
Folic acid/B12 deficiency
Iron deficiency
Thalassaemia - congenital blood disorders