Episode 2 Common Hematologic Tests Flashcards
What can increase WBC count?
Infections, inflammations, cancer, leukemia
What may decrease WBC count?
Medications, bone marrow failure, chemotherapy, congenital marrow aplasia
What is leukopenia?
Low WBC count
What is the WBC differential count?
% of each of the 5 major types of leukocytes, including immature (band) neutorphils
What would increase RBC count?
Fluid loss, diarrhea, dehydration, burns - b/c it is RBCs per volume of blood - if blood volume is down
T/F Both Hemoglobin and Hematocrit mirror RBC count results?
True
Hemoglobin is what percentage by mass of each RBC?
33% (1/3)
What does the Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) measure?
Average size of RBCs
Macrocytic RBCs can be caused by what kind of deficiency? Microcytic RBCs?
Vitamin B12 anemia
Iron deficient anemia
What effect on volume would ;macrocytic RBCs have?
Increased volume
What is the name of a condition where the Hb is abnormally diluted inside RBC? Abnormally concentrated Hb in RBCs?
Hypochromia.
Hyperchromia
What does Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) calculate?
Variation in size of RBCs
What is the difference between Anisocytosis and Poikilocytosis?
Anisocytosis is the amount of variation in RBC size.
Poikilocytosis is the variation in shape.
Normal reference range is 11-15%
What is the difference between Thrombocytosis and Thrombocytopenia?
Thrombocytosis is a too high platelet count.
Thrombocytopenia is a too LOW platelet count.
Why is thromobocytosis a problem? Thrombocytopenia?
Increased risk of forming clots even if you don’t need them. Increased risk for spontaneous bleeding.
What does an increase in Mean Platelet volume (MPV) indicate?
New platelets are larger and an increased MPV occurs when increased numbers of platelets are being produced
What is the comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) test?
A panel of 14 individual blood tests - Na, K, Ca, Cl, CO, Glucose, Blood Urea Nitrogen, Creatinine, Albumin, Total Protein, Total Bilirubin, ALP, AST, ALT
T/F Sodium facilitates the absorption of glucose in the small intestine
True
Which two ions from the CMP are needed for the generation of nerve impulses and muscle contractions?
Sodium and Potassium
Which three ions from the CMP are needed for muscle contraction?
Calcium, Sodium, and Potassium
Which two ions from the CMP test are need for acid-base balance
Potassium and Chloride
Of Calcium, Sodium, Chloride and Potassium, which one facilitates actions of certain neurotransmitters?
Chloride
Which of the four ions from the CMP test are needed for enzyme activation, exocytosis of neurotransmitters, and blood clotting?
Calcium
Which is the most prevalent cation and anion in blood?
Na+ and Cl-
T/F Albumin competitively binds calcium ions and maintains pH (acting as a buffer)
True
Creatinine levels are a reflection of which organ function?
Kidney. Creatinine increases when kidneys fail to filter it.. Kidneys are the only way to eliminate creatinine
BUN test is often ordered with which blood test?
Creatinine when kidney problems are suspected
Of ALT, AST, and ALP, which one is most specific to liver function?
ALT (alanine aminotransferase)
Which enzyme lines the bile ducts?
ALP (alkaline phosphotase)
What would an increase in ALP indicate?
Blocked bile ducts (gall stones).
ALT, AST, and ALP are released when what happens to the liver cells?
Necrosis of liver cells, can reflect liver damage as these enzymes are released into blood
What would the test for total bilirubin indicate?
Reflection of how well your body is degrading old RBCs. Too much bilirubin may indicate that you are breaking down RBCs too fast
What three tissues are responsible for removing old RBCs and making bilirubin?
Liver, spleen, and bone marrow
Where does all bilirubin get sent to be processed?
Liver
What four things does the lipid panel measure?
LDL, HDL, TGs, and total Cholesterol
Which enzyme is targeted by statins (Lipitor) to prevent block the production of cholesterol?
HMG-CoA Reductase
Which vitamin can help raise HDL, but has side effects of hot flashes?
Niacin (B3)
Which is a stronger indication of plaque formation and cardiovascular disease - LDL or TG?
LDL.
What does hypertriglyceridemia do to the consistency of blood?
makes it more viscous
What is the Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) used for detecting?
Acute and chronic inflammation, including infections, cancers, and autoimmune disease. It is non-specific
What would make RBCs settle faster to the bottom of a test tube in the ESR test?
During an infection - inflammatory mediators cause RBCs to form stacks called Rouleaux. These stacks settle faster to the bottom of the tube
How is the ESR measured?
The amount of RBCs settling to the bottom of a tube in mm/hour.
What can the ESR be used for after a diagnosis?
To check on the disease or see how well treatment is working
What inflammatory conditions are often associated with elevated ESR?
Temporal arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, rheumatoid arthritis, SLE,
What is A1C indicative of?
Average blood glucose levels over the last 3-4 months
Where is C-Reactive Protein (CRP) produced?
In the liver
What does the presence of CRP in blood indicate?
CRP is a marker for inflammation, presence indicates a heightened state of inflammation in the body
T/F CRP appears to be as predictive of cardiac risk as cholesterol levels
T
