Haematology Flashcards
What are the 3 primary elements of blood?
- Erythrocytes/RBC’s
- Leukocytes/WBC’s
- Granulocytes [neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils]
- Agranulocytes [lymphocytes, monocytes and macrophages] - Platelets
What are the 3 primary proteins in plasma?
- Albumin [main contributor to blood and colloid osmotic pressure].
- Globulins [transport other proteins, provide immunity to disease]
- Fibrinogen [blood clotting]
What are the other functions of plasma?
Maintain blood pH. Transportation of fat-soluble vitamins, hormones and carbohydrates - a source of energy for the body.
Approximately 90-92% water. Also contain’s salts, metals and inorganic compounds.
What is the function of erythrocytes?
Primarily responsible for tissue oxygenation.
Blood cell formation is referred to as: haematopoiesis. Compromised mainly of water and the red protein haemoglobin. It’s production takes place in bone marrow. Destroyed haemoglobin molecules are used again, although some are broken down to the waste product: bilirubin.
What is the function of leukocytes?
Destroy foreign substances: bacteria, viruses, parasites, toxins and tumour cells. Clear bloodstream of debris, numbers increase in response to infection.
Produced and stored in thymus, spleen and bone marrow.
What is the function of platelets?
Small sticky cells that play a role in blood clotting. Travel to site and swell into odd, irregular shapes.
Repair millions of capillaries each day. Platelets chemically signal the complex clotting process - the clotting cascade.
What is the Rh factor?
Rhesus (Rh) factor is an inherited protein found on the surface of red blood cells. If your blood has the protein, you’re Rh positive.
What are potential indications for RBC transfusion?
- Dilutional anaemia following severe burns.
- Iron-deficiency anaemia
- Megaloblastic anaemia
- Anaemia of chronic disorders
- Chronic renal failure
- Failure of erythropoiesis
- Sickle cell disease
- Septic shock
- Disseminated intravascular coagulopathy.
What is the blood loss [mL & %] for class I haemorrhage [70kg man]?
<750mL 15%, signs generally normal.
What is the blood loss [mL & %] for class II haemorrhage [70kg man]?
750-1000mL, 15-30%, PR starts decreasing.
What is the blood loss [mL & %] for class III haemorrhage [70kg man]?
1500-2000mL, 30-40%, BP & PP decrease, RR & PR increase, urine output decrease
What is the blood loss [mL & %] for class IV haemorrhage [70kg man]?
> 2000mL, >40%, PR & RR increases, BP & PP decrease
What is haematocrit?
Fraction of the total volume of blood that consists of RBCs [normally 45%].
Low haematocrit indicates:
- Anaemia, trauma, surgery, internal bleeding, nutrictional deficiency, bone marrow disease, sickle cells disease.
High haematocrit indicates” Dehydration, lung disease, certain tumours, disorders of the bone marrow.
List a number of 10 haematological disorders.
- Anaemia
- Leukaemia
- Lymphoma’s
- Polycythaemia
- Disseminated intravascular coagulopathy.
- Haemophilia
- Multiple myeloma
- Neutropenia
- Leucopenia [decrease # of WBC’s]
- Thrombocytopenia [reduction in platelets]
What is haemoglobin? What effect is included in this?
Haemoglobin is the iron-containing protein attached to RBC’s. Transports oxygen from the lung’s to the rest of the body.
Bohr effect, carbon monoxide.
What is anaemia and the 3 primary causes of it?
Decreased in blood haemoglobin.
- Not producing enough RBC’s
- Destroying then too quickly
- Bleeding
What are the symptoms of anaemia?
- Tiredness
- Lethargy
- Impaired performance
- SOB
- Exertion
- Giddiness
- Restlessness
- Apprehension
- Confusion
- Collapse
Who is the most risk of anaemia?
- Menstruating women
- Pregnant & breastfeeding women
- Babies [*premature]
- Pubescent
- Vegetarians
- Anorexia
- Bulimia
- People with cancer, stomach ulcers & some chronic diseases
- Dieting
- Athletes
- Elderly
What is iron deficiency anaemia?
Correction of anaemia - ferrous sulphate tablets, blood transfusion, diet, correction of underlying cause.
Overdose of ferrous sulphate tablets in children - can cause seizures
What is haemolytic anaemia?
Disorders that cause RBC’s death in the blood. Can occur in any part of the body and can lead to organ failure. Genetic defect in the haemoglobin [thalassaemia, sickle cell disease]. Management - general and pain.
How would you manage a sickle cell crises?
- General
- Oxygen
- Fluid therapy
- Pain relief
What is Leukaemia? Classification?
- Umbrella term for several types of cancers
- Abnormal proliferation of WBC’s in the bone marrow [weakens normal productions or RBC’s, WBC’s and platelets].
- Classification [lymphoid, myeloid, acute and chronic].
- Large numbers of WBC’s are produced and accumulates which in turn causes organ failure and eventually death
What are the 3 most common reasons why leukaemia patients are seen in ambulances?
- Infection [lymphocytes]
- Anaemia [erythrocytes]
- Bleeding episodes [platelets]
What is your management strategy for leukaemia patients?
- General management
- Pre Alert
