Hematology Flashcards
Why do we need blood?
To deliver oxygen to all the body tissues
Destroys abnormal and forgein cells (i.e. bacteria, virus, parasites)
Blood Clotting
Transport fluid, nutrients, and electrolytes
Help maintain homeostasis
What’s in the blood?
Plasma 55%
RBC’s 40-45%
WBC’s/Platelets >1%
Plasma consists of
Mostly Water
Proteins
Electrolytes
Nutrients
Hormones
Vitamins
Waste
Which protein maintains the volume?
Albumin
Which protein contributes the most in clotting?
Fibrinogen
What is serum?
Plasma minus fibrinogen and other clotting factors
What is needed to make RBC’s
Iron
Other metals
Vitamins (B12, folic acid B9, pyridoxine B6)
Life span of a RBC
120 days
What is hemolysis and where does it occur?
“old” or damaged cells are destroyed; in the spleen, liver, bone marrow, and lymph nodes
Function of hemoglobin in RBC’s
Millions of hemoglobin molecules attached to a molecule of iron
Iron which carries oxygen to tissue and CO2 back to lungs
Shape of RBC’s
Biconcave discs and very flexible to fid through capillaries, as they fit 1 RBC at a time.
5 Kinds of WBC’s
Granulocytes
Neutrophils
Eosinophils
Basophils
Agranulocytes
Monocytes
Lymphocytes
First WBC responder to infection
Neutrophils
Which WBC produces antibodies?
Plasma Cells (B-lymphocytes)
Subjective Assessment (10)
Recent changes in energy levels/ability to perform ADL’s
Bleeding/easy bruising
Pain, burning, tingling of extremities
Changes in skin color/temp
Usual diet (getting adequate nutrition)
Current meds (Rx, OTC, street drugs)
Surgeries
Blood transfusion (hx of reaction?)
Hx of chronic diseases, cancer, heart disease, COPD, kidney disease, blood disorders
Objective Assessment: Physical Exam
VS!!!
Skin and mucous membranes
Lymph nodes
Elimination
What do you inspect the skin and mucous membranes for?
Pallor
Cyanosis
Jaundice
Bleeding in/under the skin (petechiae, purport, ecchymoses)
Temp
Capillary Refill
Edema
How do you inspect the lymph nodes?
Check the neck, axillae, and groin for tenderness (usually indicates infection)
What do you look for when inspecting bowel elimination?
Melena stools, bleeding with stools (+FOB), diarrhea
What noninvasive test is commonly done for GI bleeding?
FOBT (fecal occult blood test)
Objective Assessment: Labs
CBC
PT/INR - Coumadin
aPTT - Heparin
Serum Iron tests
Schiling’s test (Vit B test)
Coombs’ test
Bone Marrow Biopsy
What is a WBC count >10,000 called?
Leukocytosis - usually a sign of infection
Life-threatening WBC condition
Leukopenia (Neutropenia; Agranulocytosis)
What is the critical level to indicate this? WBC<5,000
What is the level indicating thrombocytopenia?
reduction of platelets below 150,000