Hematologic System and Assessment Flashcards
What is the job of RBC’s?
Transport of O2 and CO2
What affect does ageing have on red bone marrow, stem cell & RBC production?
Production decreases
What is the basic clotting cascade flow?
Injury → vasoconstriction → platelet plug formation (primary hemostasis) → thrombin combines with fibrinogen to create fibrin which in turn activates clotting factors (coagulation cascade) attaches to platelets and clots wound (secondary hemostasis)
What are the key organs assessed for hemological abnormalities? Include method of assessment.
- Lymph nodes: palpation
- Liver and spleen: palpation
- Skin: Sight
What indicates an abnormal lymph node?
- Tender, hard and fixed or enlarged is an abnormal finding
- Tenderness suggesting inflammation
- Hard fixed nodes suggest malignancy
What indicates abnormal palpation of spleen and liver?
That you feel them. They are not normally able to be palpated
What abnormalities are we looking for when assessing the skin?
- Abnormal bruising
- Petechia
- Nodular lesions
Clubbing of fingers may indicate what blood disorder?
Chronic anemia
What blood conditions may cause blurred vision?
- Anemia
- Thrombocytopenia
Frequent epistaxis may indicate a problem with…
Low platelets
What is functional thrombocytopenia?
- A condition in which the platelet count is within normal range, however many in circulation are abnormal or have their function altered
- In conditions like leukemia or MM
When platelets drop below 20K, what occurs?
Petechiae
When platelets reach <5K, spontaneous and fatal _____ or _____ occurs.
CNS or GI hemorrhage
What behaviors should be modified due to low platelets?
- Shaving
- Blowing nose forcefully (epitaxis)
- Take laxatives to prevent straining w/ stools (hemorrhoids)
- Women note menstrual loss
What are common s/s of low platelets?
- Black tarry stool
- Hematuria
- Bruising, bleeding from mouth
- HA, blurry vision
