Glossary

Question 1

Leucocytes

Answer 1

The white blood cells

Includes polymorphs, lymphocytes and monocytes

Question 2

Monocytes

Answer 2

Circulating phagocytic cells will become tissue macrophages

Question 3

Polymorph (granulocyte)

Answer 3

The polymorphonuclear leucocyte
(Granulocyte) Cells with 2-5 nuclear lobes and granules in the cytoplasm. Staining characteristics of the granules identify:
NEUTROPHILS; neutral staining granules in cytoplasm
BASOPHILS; basophilic granules. Basophils migrate to the tissues to become Mast Cells.
EOSINOPHILS; eosinophilic granules

Question 4

Neutrophilia

Answer 4

Increased neutrophils

Question 5

Neutropenia

Answer 5

Decreased neutrophils

Question 6

Lymphocytosis

Answer 6

Increased lymphocytes

Question 7

Activated lymphocytes

Answer 7

Often seen in viral infection

Question 8

Atypical mononuclear cells

Answer 8

Atypical reactive (CD8) lymphocytes in certain 
Cells	infections such as Glandular fever and viral hepatitis

Question 9

Thrombocytopenia

Answer 9

Reduced platelets

Question 10

Thrombocytosis

Answer 10

increased platelets

Question 11

Hypochromic microcytic

Answer 11

Poorly haemoglobinised and small RBCs
(↓MCH ↓MCV)
Seen in iron deficiency, chronic disease and thalassaemia trait

Question 12

Reticulocytes

Answer 12

Immature RBCs. Normally

Question 13

Rouleaux

Answer 13

RBC columns seen in samples with raised globulin or raised fibrinogen levels ie myeloma, chronic inflammation/infection

Question 14

Target cells

Answer 14

RBC appearance frequently seen in liver disease (particularly in biliary obstruction), also seen in haemoglobinopathies

Question 15

Spherocytes

Answer 15

Spherocytic RBCs seen in haemolysis particularly autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA) and hereditary spherocytosis

Question 16

Howel jolly bodies

Answer 16

Nuclear fragments in RBC in hyposplenic patients

Question 17

Macrocytes

Answer 17

Large RBCs (↑MCV) seen in B12/folate deficiency, hepatic disease, hypothyroidism.

Question 18

Anisopoiklocytosis

Answer 18

Abnormalities of RBC shape and size seen in B12/folate deficiency

Question 19

RBC fragmentation

Answer 19

Seen in mechanical haemolytic anaemias eg prosthetic valve malfunction

Question 20

Haemoglobinopathy

Answer 20

Abnormality of globin synthesis

Question 21

Direct coombs test (DCT) direct atiglobulin test (DAGT)

Answer 21

Test to detect presence of antibody on RBC surface. (Positive in AIHA, HDN)

Question 22

eryhtroblasts

Answer 22

Nucleated RBC precursors

Question 23

Megaloblasts

Answer 23

The abnormal nucleated RBC precursors seen in B12 or Folate deficiency

Question 24

Myeloblasts/myelocytes/metmyelocytes

Answer 24

polymorph precursors

Question 25

Megakaryocytes

Answer 25

Platelet precursors

Question 26

Leukaemic Blasts

Answer 26

The abnormal primitive blast cells that are found in the bone marrow ( and often also in the peripheral blood ) in Acute leukaemia and poor prognosis Myelodysplastic syndromes

Question 27

Acute myeloid leukaemia

Answer 27

Acute Myeloid Leukaemia ( the more common acute leukaemia seen in adults)

Question 28

Myelodysplastic syndromes

Answer 28

Describes the bone marrow appearance when abnormal | (dysplastic) cell growth occurs. Previously called pre-leukaemic as MDS can progress to secondary AML.

Question 29

Myeloproliferative disorsers

Answer 29

Describes proliferation of cells in the bone marrow with normal (non dysplastic) appearance. CML, Polycythaemia Vera, Essential Thrombocythaemia and Myelofibrosis.

Question 30

Myeloma

Answer 30

Malignant proliferation of Plasma Cells in the Bone Marrow. Note this is a Lymphoproliferative disease NOT a Myeloproliferative Disease

Question 31

Prothrombin time

Answer 31

Prothrombin time | Test of extrinsic pathway of coagulation sensitive to Warfarin and liver disease

Question 32

INR

Answer 32

International normalised ratio. Measure of Warfarin activity

Question 33

PTT

Answer 33

Partial Thromboplasm Time also known as APTT (activated PTT) and KCCT (Kaolin Cephalin clotting time) Measure of Intrinsic pathway sensitive to IV Heparin

Question 34

Coagulation

Answer 34

Term to describe the Coagulation cascade and the pathways (Extrinsic and Intrinsic ) that lead to the conversion of Fibrinogen to Fibrin. Do not confuse with the term Aggutination which describes RBCs being stuck together (agglutinated ) by RBC antibodies.

Question 35

Purpura/oetechiae

Answer 35

Pin point bleeding on skin and mucous membranes. Usually due to thrombocytopenia or less commonly vasculitis. (The glass test: purpura does not blanch on pressure. Telangiectasia will blanch)

Question 36

DIC

Answer 36

Disseminated intravascular coagulation. Consumption of coagulation factors and platelets

Question 37

Ecchymoses

Answer 37

Bruises

Question 38

Factor concentrates

Answer 38

Freeze dried coagulation factors. Can be prepared from donated plasma (ie Beriplex: contains factors II, VII, IX, X for Warfarin reversal) or by recombinant technology ie recombinant F VIII for Haemophilia A.

Question 39

Group and screen

Answer 39

Determine ABO and Rh group. Screen plasma for immune RBC antibodies

Question 40

Packed RBCs

Answer 40

Units of blood from which most plasma has been removed.

Question 41

PPS

Answer 41

Plasma protein solution (albumin 5%)

Question 42

Cytoprecipitate

Answer 42

Prepared from donated plasma. Rich in F VIII and fibrinogen

Question 43

Indirect coombs test

Answer 43

Test to detect the presence of RBC antibodies in plasma. This test is the basis of the Cross Match and the antibody screen in Group and Screen