Hematology Flashcards
Danger Signals
Acute Hem_____
N____penia
Vitamin ____ Deficiency
(2) Lymphomas
Multiple _____
T______penia
Hemophilia ___
Acute Hemorrhage
Neutropenia
Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Hodgkin’s and Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Multiple Myeloma
Thrombocytopenia
Hemophilia A
Acute Hemorrhage
When checking the complete blood count (CBC), be aware that the initial hemoglobin and hematocrit (during active bleeding) may be in the ____ range if it is checked immediately. It may take several hours for the blood loss to show up in the CBC and the platelet count. The reticulocyte count (0.5%–2%) will increase within a few _____. R_______ is a normal response in acute blood loss.
Class I Hemorrhage = what percentage blood loss? what will happen to heart rate, BP and RR?
Class II Hemorrhage = what percentage blood loss? what will happen to heart rate and RR?
When will you see BP start to drop? At what percentage blood loss?
When checking the complete blood count (CBC), be aware that the initial hemoglobin and hematocrit (during active bleeding) may be in the normal range if it is checked immediately. It may take several hours for the blood loss to show up in the CBC and the platelet count. The reticulocyte count (0.5%–2%) will increase within a few days. Reticulocytosis is a normal response in acute blood loss.
Class I Hemorrhage = blood loss of up to 15% of blood volume, minimal increase in heart rate with no changes in blood pressure (BP) and respiratory rate
Class II Hemorrhage = Acute blood loss of 15% to 30% of blood volume (class II hemorrhage) will cause tachycardia (heart rate 100–120 beats/minute), tachypnea (respiratory rate 20–24), and decrease in pulse pressure.
Significant drop in BP usually does not manifest until about 30% to 40% blood loss (severe hemorrhage). Tachycardia (pulse >120 beats/minute) and a weaker pulse, elevated respiratory rate, and diminished urine output and mental status changes will occur. Look for signs and symptoms of shock.
Neutropenia
Neutropenia = ANC
Mild Neutropenia = ANC > _____ cells/µL)
Most common causes of mild neutropenia in adults (2)
(P____otropics, antiv____, antib_____, N_____, antith____, A____ (enalapril, captopril), and propran____)
Initial Labs for Eval (2) + H&P
What if the patient is febrile and you suspect bacterial infection?
Neutropenia = ANC <1500/mm3
Mild Neutropenia = ANC >1,000 cells/µL
Benign ethnic neutropenia (AA) and Drug-induced neutropenia
(Psychotropics, antivirals, antibiotics, NSAIDs, antithyroids, ACEI (enalapril, captopril), and propranolol)
CBC with differential, Blood smear, H&P
. If the patient is febrile and you suspect bacterial infection, urgent evaluation is important, since the patient is at high risk for bacteremia or sepsis.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Gradual onset of symmetric (1) starting in the feet and/or arms.
Other neurologic signs are n____ness, ataxia (positive ______ test), loss of v____ and position sense, impaired m_____, and dementia (severe cases).
Peripheral smear = m____-ovalocytes, some m_____blasts, and m____segmented neutrophils (>5 or 6 lobes).
MCV =
Gradual onset of symmetric peripheral neuropathy starting in the feet and/or arms.
Other neurologic signs are numbness, ataxia (positive Romberg test), loss of vibration and position sense, impaired memory, and dementia (severe cases).
Peripheral smear = macro-ovalocytes, some megaloblasts, and multisegmented neutrophils (>5 or 6 lobes).
MCV = >100 fL.
Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
A cancer of what cells?*
Identified by the presence of (1)*
Higher incidence
- young adults (__–__ years) or older adults (>__ years)
- gender (1)
- race (1)
S/S
- Night ____, f____, and pain with ingestion of _____ drinks.
- Generalized pr_____ with pain___ enlarged (1) (neck).
- An____ and weight ____.
A cancer of the beta lymphocytes (B cells)
Identified by the presence of Reed–Sternberg cells
Higher incidence
- young adults (20–40 years) or older adults (>60 years)
- males
- Whites
S/S
- Night sweats, fevers, and pain with ingestion of alcoholic drinks.
- Generalized pruritus with painless enlarged lymph nodes (neck).
- Anorexia and weight loss.
Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
A cancer of the (1) and (1) cells*
Usually occurs in the older adult (>___ years) and presents with ____ sweats, fever, weight loss, _______ lymphadenopathy (painless).
The prognosis is ____.
A cancer of the lymphocytes (usually B cells) and killer cells*
Usually occurs in the older adult (>65 years) and presents with night sweats, fever, weight loss, generalized lymphadenopathy (painless).
The prognosis is poor.
Multiple Myeloma
=
More common in adults age __ years or older.
Symptoms of fatigue, weakness, and b____ pain that is usually located in the b___ or ch____.
Causes ____uria with B___–J____ proteins, h____calcemia, and _____cytic anemia.
A cancer of the plasma cells.
More common in adults age 70 years or older.
Symptoms of fatigue, weakness, and bone pain that is usually located in the back or chest.
Causes proteinuria with Bence–Jones proteins, hypercalcemia, and normocytic anemia.
Thrombocytopenia
- Normal platelet count =*
- Thrombocytopenia =*
- Thrombocytopenia with symptoms* =
S/S =
- Normal platelet count =* 150,000 to 450,000/μL.
- Thrombocytopenia = <150,000/μL*
- Thrombocytopenia with symptoms = <100,000/μL*
S/S = easy bruising (ecchymosis, petechiae), bleeding gums, spontaneous nosebleeds, and hematuria.
Hemophilia A
How common is it in the US?
Inheritance pattern?
Caused by deficiency of?
The most common type of hemophilia in the United States is hemophilia A.
An X-linked recessive disease that predominantly affects males who have only one X chromosome.
Hemophilia A is caused by factor VIII deficiency.
Hemophilia A S/S
- e____ bruising, exc_____ bruising
- bleeding into ____ (hemarthrosis)
- bleeding for several h___ to d____ (circumcision, dental extractions)
- severe bleeding with tr____
- _____ menses, and ____turia
Medicines that increase bleeding, such as anticoagulants, aspirin, and NSAIDs, should usually be _____
The activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is prolonged, and the prothrombin time (PT), fibrinogen, and platelets are _____.
- easy bruising, excessive bruising
- bleeding into joints (hemarthrosis)
- bleeding for several hours to days (circumcision, dental extractions)
- severe bleeding with trauma
- heavy menses, and hematuria.
Medicines that increase bleeding, such as anticoagulants, aspirin, and NSAIDs, should usually be avoided.
The activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is prolonged, and the prothrombin time (PT), fibrinogen, and platelets are normal.
Hemoglobin
- Males:* ____ to ____ g/dL
- Females:* ____ to ____ g/dL
- Long-term high-altitude (mountain) exposure/chronic hypoxia:* ______ (secondary _______)
- Males:* 14.0 to 18.0 g/dL
- Females:* 12.0 to 16.0 g/dL
- Long-term high-altitude (mountain) exposure/chronic hypoxia:* Elevated (secondary polycythemia)
Hematocrit
The _______ of red blood cells (RBCs) in 1 mL of plasma
- Males:* ___% to ___%
- Females:* ___% to ___%
The proportion of red blood cells (RBCs) in 1 mL of plasma
- Males:* 42% to 52%
- Females:* 37% to 47%
Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)
A measure of the average ____ of the RBCs in a sample of blood
Normal: ___ to ____fL (femtoliter)
Microcytic anemia MCV =
Normocytic anemia MCV =
Macrocytic anemia MCV =
A measure of the average size of the RBCs in a sample of blood
Normal: 80 to 100 fL (femtoliter)
Microcytic anemia MCV <80 fL
Normocytic anemia MCV 80 and 100
Macrocytic anemia MCV >100 fL
Mean Corpuscular Hgb Concentration (MCHC)
A measure of the average ____ of the RBCs in a sample of blood
Normal: ___ to ___ g/dL
___creased in iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) and thalassemia (____chromic); _____in macrocytic and normocytic anemias
A measure of the average color of the RBCs in a sample of blood
Normal: 31.0 to 37.0 g/dL
Decreased in iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) and thalassemia (hypochromic); normal in macrocytic and normocytic anemias
Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH)
Indirect measure of the ____ of RBCs.
Normal: ____ to ____ pg/cell
Decreased values mean p____ or ____chromic RBCs. Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) is ___creased in IDA and thalassemia. Normal with ______cytic anemias.
Indirect measure of the color of RBCs.
Normal: 25.0 to 35.0 pg/cell
Decreased values mean pale or hypochromic RBCs. Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) is decreased in IDA and thalassemia. Normal with macrocytic anemias.
Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW)
=
How is the RDW effected in IDA and thalassemia?
A measure of the variability of the size of RBCs in a given sample.
Elevated in IDA and thalassemia.
Total Iron-Binding Capacity (TIBC)
=
What is the function of Transferrin?
Normal: ___ to ____ mcg/dL
TIBC in IDA =
TIBC in thalassemia, vitamin B12/folate deficiency =
A measure of available transferrin that is left unbound (to iron).
Transferrin is used to transport iron in the body.
Normal: 250 to 410 mcg/dL
IDA = TIBC is elevated because there is not enough iron to transport
TIBC in thalassemia, vitamin B12/folate deficiency = normal TIBC because iron levels are normal
Serum Ferritin
=
Stored in body tissue such as the sp___, l____, and bone m_____. Correlates with iron _____ status in a healthy adult. Most sensitive test for ___.
Normal: __ to ___ ng/mL
Ferritin levels in IDA =
Ferritin levels in Thalassemia trait =
Serum ferritin is the stored form of iron
Stored in body tissue such as the spleen, liver, and bone marrow. Correlates with iron storage status in a healthy adult. Most sensitive test for IDA.
Normal: 20 to 400 ng/mL
Ferritin levels in IDA = decreased
Ferritin levels in Thalassemia trait = normal to high, may be high if patient was misdiagnosed with IDA and given iron supplementation. Avoid iron supplements before testing serum ferritin level
Serum Iron
Normal: ___ to ___ mcg/dL
Iron levels in IDA =
Iron levels in thalassemia and macrocytic anemias =
Why do prefer ferritin over iron for testing with IDA?
Normal: 50 to 175 mcg/dL
Iron levels in IDA = decreased
Iron levels in thalassemia and macrocytic anemias = normal to high
Not as sensitive as ferritin, affected by recent blood transfusions
Reticulocytes
______ RBCs that still have their _____
Normal: ___% to ___% (of total RBC count)
- Reticulocytes are slightly _____ than RBCs.
- After 24 hours in circulation, reticulocytes lose their _____ and mature into RBCs (no nuclei).
- The bone marrow normally will release small amounts to replace dam______ RBCs.
- RBCs survive for _____ days before being sequestered by the _____ and broken down by the _____ into iron and globulin (recycled) and b_______ (bile).
Immature RBCs that still have their nuclei.
Normal: 0.5% to 2.5% (of total RBC count)
- Reticulocytes are slightly larger than RBCs.
- After 24 hours in circulation, reticulocytes lose their nuclei and mature into RBCs (no nuclei). T
- he bone marrow normally will release small amounts to replace damaged RBCs.
- RBCs survive for 120 days before being sequestered by the spleen and broken down by the liver into iron and globulin (recycled) and bilirubin (bile).
Reticulocytosis (More than ____% of Total RBC Count)
An elevation of reticulocytes is seen when the bone _____ is ______into producing RBCs.
Will the following conditions cause elevation of reticulocytes?
- Chronic bleeding = No because of compensation
- Iron, folate, VB12 supplementation =
- Acute bleeding =
- Hemolysis, Leukemia, EPO treatment =
What should you do if you if someone is acutely bleeding and you still see no reticulocytosis (after 3–4 days), after appropriate supplementation of deficient mineral (iron, folate, or vitamin B12), or with EPO?
Reticulocytosis (More than 2.5% of Total RBC Count)
An elevation of reticulocytes is seen when the bone marrow is stimulated into producing RBCs
Will the following conditions cause elevation of reticulocytes?
- Chronic bleeding = No because of compensation
- Iron, folate, VB12 supplementation = Yes
- Acute bleeding = Yes
- Hemolysis, Leukemia, EPO treatment = Yes
If no reticulocytosis after an acute bleeding episode (after 3–4 days), after appropriate supplementation of deficient mineral (iron, folate, or vitamin B12), or with EPO, rule out bone marrow failure (i.e., aplastic anemia). Diagnosed by bone marrow biopsy.
Poikilocytosis (Peripheral Smear)
=
- Seen with severe (1) anemia .
- RBCs ___normal with variable _____ seen in the peripheral smear.
- May be accompanied by ____cytosis (variable size of RBCs).
Poikilocytosis refers to an increase in abnormal red blood cells of any shape that makes up to 10% or more of the total population. Poikilocytes can be flat, elongated, teardrop-shaped, crescent-shaped, sickle-shaped, or can have pointy or thorn-like projections, or may have other abnormal feature
- Seen with severe IDA.
- RBCs abnormal with variable shapes seen in the peripheral smear.
- May be accompanied by anisocytosis (variable sizes of RBCs).
Serum Folate and Vitamin B12
Deficiency will cause a _____ anemia.
- Normal folate level:* ___ to ____ ng/mL
- Normal vitamin B12 level:* >____ pg/mL
Deficiency will cause a macrocytic anemia.
- Normal folate level:* 3.1 to 17.5 ng/mL
- Normal vitamin B12 level:* >250 pg/mL
White Blood Cells With Differential
- Normal WBC count* (child older than 2 years to adults) =
- White blood cell (WBC) differential =*
The differential for each type of WBC should add up to a total of ____%.
- Normal WBC count* (child older than 2 years to adults) is 5.0 to 10.0 × 109 (5,000–10,000/10 mm3)
- White blood cell (WBC) differential =* Percentage of each type of leukocyte in a sample of blood.
The differential for each type of WBC should add up to a total of 100%.