Haematology

Question 1

What are the normal values for complete blood count (CBC) ?

Answer 1

RBC: males 4.32-5.72; females 3.90-5.03
Hemoglobin: males 13.5-17.5; females 12.0-15.5
Hematocrit: males 38.8-50.0, females 34.9-44.5
WBC: 3.5-10.5
Platelet count: 150-450

Question 2

What are the stages of hemostasis ?

Answer 2

Vasospasm and vasoconstriction: limits damage
Platelet activation
Hemostatic plug
Coagulation
Stable clot formation and granules and platelets release fibrinogen which converts to fibrin and forms stable clot.

Question 3

3. What is thrombocytopenia ?

Answer 3

Disorder of decreased platelets (below 150,000)

Question 4

What happens in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia?

Answer 4

body can develop antibody against heparin; platelets start binding to vessel walls, get used up and destroyed

Question 5

What causes von Willebrand’s disease ?

Answer 5

type 1 deficiency of VW coagulation protein (Autosomal dominant disease)

Question 6

What causes Hemophilia A ?

Answer 6

X-linked recessive genetic disorder; factor VIII deficiency/gene mutation, affects males more

Question 7

What do the RBC’s in someone with iron deficiency look like ?

Answer 7

Small and pale RBCs (hypochromic and microcytic), irregular shape or size

Question 8

What is aplastic anemia and what are the causes?

Answer 8

Caused by bone marrow suppression; usually results in reduction of WBC, RBC, platelets
i.e. chemo, radiation

Question 9

What happens in disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) ?

Answer 9

Bleeding and clotting occurring simultaneously.

Question 10

What is primary polycythemia ?

Answer 10

Higher concentration of RBC in circulation which increases blood viscosity making blood flow slow and sluggish.

Question 11

What is secondary polycythemia ?

Answer 11

The same as primary except there is an underlying pathology causing the increase in RBC and blood viscosity.