haemo

Question 1

Name 3 different areas of study within the field of Haematology

Answer 1

Haemopoiesis (Formed elements of blood)
Haemoglobin
Coagulation (Blood transfusion/ cross matching)

Question 2

Amaemia is a disease studied in a routine Haematology Laboratory. What is Anaemia?

Answer 2

decrease in red blood cells

Question 3

Explain what is meant by the term Leukaemia

Answer 3

Leukaemia is the general name given to a group of cancers that develop in the bone marrow. Leukaemia originates in developing blood cells that have undergone a malignant change.
The increase in white blood cells.

Question 4

What is Haemopoiesis? What is Erythropoiesis?

Answer 4

• Haemopoiesis: The production of the formed elements of blood (WBC, RBC and platelets)
• Erythropoiesis - production of RBC’s
• Thrombopoiesis - production of platelets
• Granulopoiesis - production of granulocytes
• Lymphopoiesis - production of lymphocytes
• Monocytopoiesis - production of monocytes

Question 5

What is the correct term for a decrease in neutrophils?

Answer 5

Neutropaenia

Question 6

Where does Haemopoiesis occur? Explain why you might have more than one answer!

Answer 6

In foetuses, it occurs in the liver, spleen, yolk sac and bone marrow, but in adults it only occurs in bone marrow

Question 7

Describe the shape of a RBC. Why do RBCs have this shape?

Answer 7

Biconcave disc shape allows for greater surface area to carry haemoglobin, rapid diffusion of gases, flexibility and to change in shape ad size

Question 8

Discuss the significance of the RBC membrane

Answer 8

Contains lipids, proteins and carbohydrates

• Aids in the flexibility and shape changing properties of RBC
• Contains the antigens on the surface of RBC

Question 9

List 3 Granulocytes that can be found in peripheral blood

Answer 9

Neutrophils, Basophils and Eosinophils

Question 10

List each of the 5 WBC types found in peripheral blood

Answer 10

Neutrophils
Lymphocytes
Eosinophils
Basophils
Monocytes

Question 11

Explain the features that help to identify Neutrophils

Answer 11

Most common type, 10-12, multi lobed nucleus, small granules in the cytoplasm - fights bacterial and fungal infections

Question 12

Explain the features that help to identify Lymphocytes

Answer 12

Second most common WBC, 10-12, large round nucleus, less cytoplasm

Question 13

Explain the features that help to identify Eosinophils

Answer 13

Defence against parasitic infections, 10-12, large strongly stained (orange/red) cytoplasm granules

Question 14

Explain the features that help to identify Basophils

Answer 14

Involved in hypersensitivity and inflammation, 8-10, large cytoplasmic granules that are dark staining

Question 15

Explain the features that help to identify Monocytes

Answer 15

Largest WBC, 16-22, kidney shaped nucleus, removes aged RBC’s and other debris

Question 16

What is the term used to describe variation in RBS size?

Answer 16

anisocytosis

Question 17

List 2 specific terms for abnormal RBC shapes and describe the RBC shape for each of these specific terms

Answer 17

Elliptocytes: long and thin elliptical shaped RBCs
Ovalocyte: oval shaped rather than thin or round, less pronounced defects, anaemia

Question 18

What is Polychromasia and what may it indicate?

Answer 18

Polychromasia is the difference in colour of an RBC

Can indicate an increased number of immature RBCs

Question 19

What physiological processes do platelets have a role in?

Answer 19

Primary role is the prevention of blood loss by forming clots

Question 20

What does the term “Thrombocytopaenia” mean?

Answer 20

Decreased number of platelets in the blood

Question 21

What is the term for an increased number of Lymphocytes in the peripheral blood?

Answer 21

Lymphocytosis

Question 22

Either of 2 principles can be used in Automated Cell Counting machines. What are these 2 principles?

Answer 22

Electrical impedance and light scatter

Question 23

What blood cells can be manually counted using a Haemocytometer?

Answer 23

White blood cells and Red blood cells

Can also count WBC in CSF and bacterial cells in suspension

Question 24

Different areas of a counting chamber are used for counting different types of blood cells. What areas are used for a manual WCC?

Answer 24

The WCC is carried out in the 4 larges squares on the corners of the counting chamber

Question 25

Explain why WBC types should always be reported as Absolute Number and not Relative numbers following a Differential Count

Answer 25

The differential gives the relative percentage of each WBC where as the absolute value gives the actual number of each WBC/mm3 of blood.
In order to determine the amount of each WBC in the blood, which can be compared to a reference range to determine whether the counts are within the normal range or not.