Hematologic & Immune System

Question 1

What are “bands”

Answer 1

Immature form of neutrophil

Question 2

What is a “left” shift in a white count

Answer 2

refers to leukocytosis w/ an increased percentage of bands

Question 3

Neutrophils are what percentage of the total WBC

Answer 3

50-70%

Question 4

Which 2 types of white blood cells are indicative/increased during allergic responses

Answer 4

Eosinophils and basophils

Question 5

Where are platelets in the body?

Answer 5

2/3 are circulating in the blood, while 1/3 are in the spleen

Question 6

what does D-dimer indicate?

what increases levels?

Answer 6

It is an indicator of fibrinolysis (the natural process that breaks down fibrin clots)
D-dimer level is increased in thrombotic disorders (DVT,PE), during thrombolytic drug therapy, DIC, post-operatively

Question 7

What is pancytopenia?

Answer 7

Reduction / suppression in WBC, RBC and platelets

Question 8

What are the three levels of immune system protection?

Answer 8

• natural defenses
• innate (general) immunity
• adaptive (specific) immunity

Question 9

What are the body’s natural defenses?

Answer 9

• intact epithelial surfaces (skin, mucous membranes)
• normal chemical barriers present (pH, secretions)
• protective reflexes intact (cough, gag, blink, swallow, sneeze)

Question 10

What happens after the body’s natural defenses are bypassed/overwhelmed?

Answer 10

• phagocytic WBCs (neutrophils & monocytes) attack the foreign organism
• macrophages play a key role in processing & presenting the invading antigen to lymphocytes (adaptive/specific immune response)

Question 11

What do transfusions of coagulation factors (FFP vs Cryo vs PCC) replace (contain)?

Answer 11

FFP (fresh frozen plasma) replaces: all coagulation factors except platelets
Cryopreciptate replaces: fibrinogen, factor VIII, von willebrand factor
PCC (prothrombin complex concentrate) replaces: vitamin K dependent factors