Exam 2 - WBC Flashcards
Which cells in our body form the first line of defense from invading micro-organisms?
WBCs (leukocytes)
What distinguishes a WBC from a RBC?
WBCs have a nucleus
What are the two major groups of WBCs?
Granulocytes and agranulocytes
What types of WBCs are granulocytes?
Neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils
What types of WBCs are agranulocytes?
lymphocytes and monocytes
What is the term for the process by which WBCs differentiate and proliferate?
Leukopoiesis
Where does WBC differentiation and proliferation occur?
Bone marrow (except for lymphocytes which can take place in the thymus, as well)
Which type of WBC can also develop in the thymus as well as the bone marrow?
Lymphocytes
How long does it take to get from a blast stage of a WBC to a mature stage and enter peripheral blood?
14 days
What type of WBC functions in allergies, drug reactions, and parasitic reactions?
Eosinophils
Which WBC contains histamine and heparin and functions in immediate hypersensitivity reactions?
Basophils
Which WBC has the function to combat pyogenic infections?
Neutrophils
Which WBC functions to fight off viral infections?
Lymphocytes
What is the function of monocytes?
To help neutrophils
What is another term of neutrophilic leukocytosis?
Neutrophilia
What is diagnostic for leukopenia?
WBC count falling below 5,000
Is a fever with a high white blood cell count usually bacterial or viral?
Bacterial
Is a low to moderate fever with decreased WBCs usually bacterial or viral?
Viral (antibiotics do the same)
Which tend to be worse: bacterial or viral infections?
Bacterial
How many WBCs are counted by a tech to arrive at a differential?
100
What is the difference between a left and right shift when classifying white blood cells?
Right = more mature cells, Left = more immature cells like blasts and pros
What are segs?
Neutrophils (segmented cells)
What is the first line of defense for neutrophils?
Phagocytosis
Hyper segmented neutrophils are seen with what kind of anemia?
Megaloblastic
Increased bands means a WBC shift in which direction?
Left (seen with infections/inflammation)
What is the difference in function between B-lymphocytes and T-lymphocytes?
B = tag foreign bodies and antibody production; T = kill foreign bodies
What is the final maturation stage of B lymphocytes?
Plasma cell
Are the majority of lymphocytes long or short lived?
Long (as long as 10 years)
Which is responsible for humoral immunity: B or T lymphocytes? Cellular immunity?
Humoral = B; Cellular = T
Lymphophilia is more commonly due to what type of infection?
Viral
An inverted ratio (lymphocytes > neutrophils) is normal up to what age?
9 YOA (while still developing immunity)
What is an inverted ratio of WBC?
When lymphocytes outnumber neutrophils/segs
An inverted ratio is seen with what type of infection?
Viral, lymphocytic leukemia, lymphocytic leukemoid reaction (increased lymphocytes)
Lymphopenia is seen with which conditions?
AIDS, hodgkin’s, and bacterial infections
What is another term for atypical lymphocytes?
Reactive lymphs, Downey cells, virocytes
What kinds of lymphocytes are seen with mononucleosis?
Atypical/Downey cells
What specimen is responsible for mononucleosis?
Epstein-Barr virus
What is the most common population to be affected by mono?
Adolescents and young adults
What is the test done for mono diagnosis?
Monospot (heterophil AB)
What is another name for mono?
Kissing disease
What other area of the body is important to monitor with a patient who has mono?
Abdomen (possible complications of liver and spleen)
How can we tell the difference between early and late mono?
Early - leukopenia; Late - leukocytosis
AIDS/HIV is marked by a decrease in which cell type?
T helper cells (determined by CD4 count)
HIV/AIDS leads to an increased likelihood of what other conditions?
Opportunistic infections
What is the diagnostic requirement for AIDS?
CD4 count below 200 due to advanced HIV disease
What is the normal range for CD4 cells?
600-1,500
What does a CD4 cell level tell us?
How well the immune system can fight off infection
What test measures the amount of HIV in the blood and how much it’s progressing?
Viral load
What is the tumor associated with AIDS that develops from the cells that line lymph or blood vessels?
Kaposi’s sarcoma
What is the most common opportunistic infection seen in HIV/AIDS patients?
Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia
What is the clinical presentation of a Kaposi’s sarcoma?
Purple, red, or brown blotches or tumors on the skin
When do we see increased monocyte?
Acute infection recovery, monocytic leukemia, Hodgkin’s disease, TB
Which WBC contains histamine?
Eosinophils
