Glossary

Question 1

Neutrophilia

Answer 1

Increased neutrophils

Question 2

Neutropenia

Answer 2

Decreased neutrophils

Question 3

Lymphocytosis

Answer 3

Increased lymphocytes

Question 4

Activated lymphocytes

Answer 4

Often seen in viral infection

Question 5

Thrombocytopenia

Answer 5

Reduced platelets

Question 6

Thrombocytosis

Answer 6

Increased platelets

Question 7

Atypical mononuclear cells

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Hypochromic microcytic

Answer 8

Poorly haemoglobinised and small RBCs (↓MCH ↓MCV)

Seen in iron deficiency, chronic disease and thalassaemia trait

Question 9

MCV/MCH

Answer 9

Mean corpuscular volume (RBC size)

Mean corpuscular Hb content

Question 10

Reticulocytes

Answer 10

Immature RBCs. Normally <2% of RBCs.
No nucleus but some persisting RNA
Polychromatic (blue-purple) appearance in the blood film

Question 11

Rouleaux

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Target cells

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Spherocytes

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Howell-Jolly Bodies

Answer 14

Nuclear fragments in RBC in hyposplenic patients

Question 15

Macrocytes

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Anisopoiklocytosis

Answer 16

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

Question 17

RBC fragmentation

Answer 17

Seen in mechanical haemolytic anaemias eg prosthetic valve malfunction

Question 18

Haemoglobinopathy

Answer 18

Abnormality of globin synthesis

Question 19

Direct Coombs test

(DCT) Direct Antiglobulin Test (DAGT

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Erythroblasts (normoblasts)

Answer 20

Nucleated RBC precursors

Question 21

Megaloblasts

Answer 21

The abnormal nucleated RBC precursors seen in B12 or Folate deficiency

Question 22

Myelocytes
Metamyelocytes
Myeloblasts

Answer 22

Polymorph precursors

Question 23

Megakaryocytes

Answer 23

Platelet precursors

Question 24

Bone marrow aspirate

Answer 24

Aspiration of marrow granules to provide cellular detail

Question 25

Bone marrow Trephine Biopsy

Answer 25

Removal of core of Bone and Marrow provides detail of architecture and infiltration

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

Myelodysplastic syndromes

Answer 27

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

Question 28

Myeloproliferative

Answer 28

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

Question 29

Myeloma

Answer 29

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

Question 30

PT

Answer 30

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

Question 31

INR

Answer 31

International normalised ratio. Measure of Warfarin activity

Question 32

PTT

Answer 32

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

Question 33

coagulation

Answer 33

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 34

Purpura/Petechiae

Answer 34

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 35

Ecchymoses

Answer 35

bruises

Question 36

DIC

Answer 36

Disseminated intravascular coagulation. Consumption of coagulation factors and platelets

Question 37

Factor concentrates

Answer 37

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 38

PPS

Answer 38

Plasma protein solution (albumin 5%)

Question 39

20% Albumin

Answer 39

Salt poor high Albumin

Question 40

Cryoprecipitate

Answer 40

Prepared from donated plasma. Rich in F VIII and fibrinogen

Question 41

Indirect Coombs Test

Answer 41

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