Exam 5 Flashcards
Red Blood Cells
Erythrocytes
Transport oxygen, take away carbon dioxide, produced in red bone marrow
Live about 120 days
White Blood Cells
Leukocytes
Help to fight off pathogens
Characteristics of Blood
45% blood cells (RBCs, WBCs, platelets)
55% blood plasma
pH: 7.35-7.45
Volume: 5-6 L
Hematopoiesis
Process that continuously occurs to replace the blood components
Hemostasis
Balance between clot formation and fibrinolysis
Erythropoiesis
Red blood cell production
Takes about 5 days
Erythropoietin is a hormone that originates in the kidneys
Needs: healthy bone marrow, dietary iron, protein, vitamins
Blood Plasma
Fluid left over after all cells are removed
Blood Serum
If you let the plasma clot and then take away the rest, the serum is left
Does not have fibrinogen or clotting factors
Albumin
Given routinely to expand the volume of the blood
Major component of osmotic pressure of plasma
Reticulocyte
Immature red blood cell
Schistocytes
Irregular fragments of red blood cells
“Helmet Cell”
Polycythemia
Increased RBCs
Occurs with chronic hypoxia (e.g. COPD)
Bone Marrow
Site of hematopoiesis
Stem cells are primitive cells
Myeloid (erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets)
Lymphoid (T or B lymphocytes)
Stroma
Supportive structures that do not directly produce cells but are there for everything else that needs to be done
Hematological Assessment
Ethnic and family history
Nutritional history
Medications
Symptoms and impact on functional ability
Assess bruising, unexplained bleeding, blood counts
Normal RBC Count
Males: 4.5-6.2 million cells/uL
Females: 4.0-5.5 million cells/uL
Normal Hemoglobin/Hematocrit
Males: 13-18 g/dL and 42-52%
Females: 12-16 g/dL and 35-47%
Normal WBC Count
4.5-11 cells/mm3
Differential: neutrophils, bands, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes, monocytes
“Shift to the Left” = increased immature neutrophils
Normal Platelet Count
150,000-450,000 cells/mm3
Bone Marrow Aspiration and Biopsy
Common site is iliac crest
Risk of rebleeding, risk of infection
Anemia
Hemoglobin concentration that is below normal
Not a disease, but a sign of underlying disorder
Most common hematologic condition
Hypoproliferative Anemia
Impaired production of RBCs
Tumor, bone marrow suppression, lack of EPO, long-term iron deficiency, lack of vitamin B12 and folic acid
Hemolytic Anemia
Increased destruction of RBCs
Increased bilirubin and reticulocytes
Sickle cell anemia, toxic chemicals, mechanical heart valves
Severity, Development, Complications of Anemia
Severity depends on how active the patient is; usually don’t show symptoms until less than 8
Slow development may indicate compensation (tachycardia, SOB)
Complications include heart failure, heart attack, paresthesias, confusion/delirium