Haematology

Question 1

Explain the constituents of the blood?

Answer 1

55% Plasma - suspends cells, clotting, serum
<1% Buffy Coat - White cells & platelets
45% RBC - Erythrocytes

Question 2

What is the haematocrit?

Answer 2

% of RBC in blood

Question 3

Define Mean Corpuscular Volume

Answer 3

Haematocrit / RB Count

Question 4

Define Mean corpuscular haemoglobin

Answer 4

Haemoglobin conc. / RB Count

Question 5

What terms are used to describe MCV?

Answer 5

Microcytosis - small
Macrocytosis - large
Normocytosis - normal

Question 6

What are the general characteristics of bone marrow and where can it be found?

Answer 6

Very fatty

Only in certain bones - pelvis, sternum, humerus

Question 7

Describe acute myeloid leukaemia

Answer 7

Cells stuck in stem cell stage
Not producing normal cells
Bone marrow overtaken
High cell production = increased chance of issues

Question 8

Describe acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Answer 8

Lots of lymphoblasts

Question 9

Describe chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

Answer 9

Cells stuck in mature stage

Abnormally high WBC count

Question 10

Describe chronic myeloid leukaemia

Answer 10

Production of too many myeloid cells ie immature WBC

Question 11

Describe myeloma

Answer 11

Too many plasma cells

Question 12

What does Erythropoietin (EPO) do?

Answer 12

Stimulates body to produce more RBC

Question 13

Describe the regulation of erythropoiesis

Answer 13

Kidney tubules detect low O2
EPO produced by endothelial cells of peritubular capillaries in renal cortex
EPO enters blood stream - into bone marrow
Bone marrow produces RBC

Question 14

What about the blood changes when there is no spleen?

Answer 14

Blood looks untidy as the other organs filter blood