Haematology

Question 1

What is haematopoeisis?

Answer 1

Manufacture of blood

Question 2

What is the definition of anaemia?

Answer 2

Low haemoglobin

Question 3

Symptoms of anaemia?

Answer 3

Shortness of breath, lethargy, headache and angina

Question 4

Causes of anaemia?

Answer 4

Bleeding, dietary deficiency, haemolysis

Question 5

Three classifications of anaemia?

Answer 5

Microcytic - Small cells

Normocytic - Normal sized red cells

Macrocytic - big red cells

Question 6

Changes that occur when iron is in excess?

Answer 6

Transferrin receptors and iron uptake is reduced

Question 7

How is transferrin involved in iron uptake?

Answer 7

Macrophages gain iron from old red cells and transferrin carries it in the blood

Question 8

Common cause of microcytic anaemia?

Answer 8

Iron deficiency

Question 9

Common cause of normocytic anaemia?

Answer 9

Chronic disease/infection

Question 10

Common cause of macrocytic anaemia?

Answer 10

B12/folate deficiency

Question 11

What can cause iron deficiency leading to microcytic anaemia?

Answer 11

Blood loss

Thalassaemia’s

Malabsorption in the gut

Poor dietary intake and increased demand e.g. pregnancy, children, menstruation

Question 12

Features of microcytic anaemia?

Answer 12

General symptoms of anaemia

Nail deformity
Sore tongue
Pica (abnormal appetite)

Question 13

Lab features of microcytic anaemia?

Answer 13

Low Hb
Pale/small cells
Low ferritin
Transferrin receptors increased

Question 14

What is thalassaemia?

Answer 14

Heterogenous group of genetic disorders all resulting in globin chains not being produced (α and β chains)

Question 15

What does folate do?

Answer 15

Is an essential coenzyme required to synthesise TMP, which is essential for the manufacture of DNA.

Question 16

What does B12 do in the body?

Answer 16

Is an essential coenzyme to produce THF which synthesises DNA.

Question 17

What do transcobalamins do?

Answer 17

Transport B12 to the liver and other tissues

Question 18

What does B12 and Folate deficiency cause?

Answer 18

Gradual onset anaemia

Mild jaundice

Sterility

Neuropathy (only B12)

Blood clots

Question 19

Causes of B12 deficiency?

Answer 19

Vegans

Infants born to B12 deficient mothers

Alcoholics

Pernicious anaemia

Crohns disease

Question 20

Lab features of B12 deficiency?

Answer 20

Hyper segmented neutrophils

Macrocytic red cells

Bilirubin is raised

Question 21

Cause of macrocytosis?

Answer 21

Anaemia related:

Alcohol
Liver disease
Thyroid disease

Non-anaemia associated:

Cytotoxic drugs
Aplastic anaemia
Some haematological malignancies

Question 22

Pathogenesis causing normocytic anaemia in chronic disease?

Answer 22

Mild decrease in red blood cell lifespan

Disturbance in erythropoiesis

Interactions of cytokines

Low EPO and serum iron

Question 23

What is haemolytic anaemia?

Answer 23

Shortened RBC lifespan below 15 days

Question 24

Types of hereditary haemolytic anaemias?

Answer 24

Membrane affected

Metabolism affected

Haemoglobin synthesis affected

Question 25

Types of acquired haemolytic anaemias?

Answer 25

Autoimmune anaemias

Infections

Red cell pigmentation syndromes

Question 26

What is pancytopenia?

Answer 26

reduction in red and white cells as well as platelets

Question 27

What can cause pancytopenia?

Answer 27

Bone morrow failure - chemotherapy, viral hepatitis

Peripheral consumption/destruction