Electrolytes and Blood Cells

Question 1

Normal value range for Na+

Answer 1

137-147 mmol/L
Sodium

Na+ balance is tied to acid-base balance (H+ exchange) and regulation of K+

Question 2

Normal value range for Cl-

Answer 2

98-105 mmol/L

Chloride

Question 3

Normal value range for Ca+

Answer 3

4.5-5.8 mmol/L

Calcium

Question 4

Normal value range for K+

Answer 4

3.5-4.8 mmol/L

Potassium

Question 5

Normal value range for PO4

Answer 5

1.7-2.6 mmol/L

Phosphorus

Question 6

Normal value range for Mg++

Answer 6

1.5-2.5 mmol/L

Magnesium

Question 7

Normal Value for RBC

Male and Female

Answer 7

Male
4.6-6.2 million/mm^3
Female
4.2-5.4 million/mm^3

Question 8

Normal Values for Hgb

Male and Female

Answer 8

Male
13.5-16.5 g/dL
Female
12.0-15.0 g/dL

Question 9

Normal Values for Hct

Male and Female

Answer 9

Male 40-54%
Female 38-47%
Hematocrit is the percentage of RBCs in relation to the total volume

Question 10

Normal Values for Platelets

Male and Female values are the same

Answer 10

150,000-400,000/mm^3

Question 11

Normal Values for WBC

Male and Female are the same

Answer 11

4500-11500/mm^3

Question 12

WBC Differential Values
CBC complete white blood cells

Hint:
Never Let Monkeys Eat Bananas

Answer 12

Neutrophils        40-75%
Lymphocytes     20-45%
Monocytes           2-10%
Eosinophils             0-6%
Basophils                0-1%

Bands 0-6%

Question 13

What role do Neutrophils play

Answer 13

Under normal conditions the neutrophil numbers average about 65% of the total WBC count
The neutrophils are very mobile active phagocytic cells
The cytoplasmic granules in the neutrophils contain powerful lysosomes which are digestive like enzymes that phagocytize invading bacteria
Neutrophils are granulocytes

Question 14

What role do lymphocytes play

Answer 14

Lymphocytes account for 20 to 45% of total WBC’s
Most of the lymphocytes are found in the lymphoid tissues (lymph nodes) where they play a number of important roles in immunity

T lymphocytes (T cells) function in immune response by acting directly against viruses infected cells, tumors

N lymphocytes (B cells) give rise to plasma cells which produce antibodies (immunoglobulins) that work to inactivate invading antigens

Question 15

What role do monocytes play

Answer 15

Monocytes account for 2 to 10% of total WBCs
In the tissue monocytes differentiate into highly mobile macrophages with large appetites
They phagocytize bacteria, dead cells, cell fragments and viral infected cells
An increase in the number of monocytes is associated with chronic infections such as tuberculosis

Question 16

What role do eosinophils play

Answer 16

eosinophils make up 2 to 5% of the circulating WBCs
The eosinophils are numerous in the tissue lining the respiratory and digestive tracts
eosinophils destroy protozoa and parasitic worms and release anti-inflammatory substances in antigen-antibody reactions
An elevated eosinophils count is commonly seen in asthmatic patients
eosinophils are granulocytes

Question 17

What role do basophils play

Answer 17

Basophils account for 0 to 1% of total WBCs
The nuclei of the Basophils appear S shaped and the cytoplasmic granules contain histamine and heparin
Histamine is an anti-inflammatory substance that causes vasodilation and attracts other WBCs to the inflamed site
Heparin (an anticoagulant) inhibits blood clotting
The basophils increase in number in both allergic and inflammatory reactions
Basophils are granulocytes

Question 18

What are platelets (thrombocytes)

Answer 18

Platelets play an important role in preventing blood loss from a traumatized area by:
1) forming platelet plugs that seal holes in small blood vessels and
2) forming blood clots which work to seal off larger tears in the blood vessels
The platelets also contain serotonin, which, when released, causes smooth muscle constriction and reduced blood flow