Hematology

Question 1

What do you think when sees atypical reactive lymphocytes

Answer 1

infectious mononucleosis, EBV

Question 2

what is a good first test to evaluate polycythemia?

Answer 2

erythropeoietin level
If low, consider polycythemia vera.
If high, consider secondary polycythemia 2/2 chronic hypoxia or hormone producing cancer

Question 3

What type of antibodies make blood transfusion difficult in patient who has a history of blood transfusion?

Answer 3

Alloantibodies, which target non-self antigen from donor blood.
Whereas autoantibodies target self antigen.

Question 4

When can you use Warfarin in patients with HIT?

Answer 4

After plt count recover > 150,000;

first use non-heparin anticoagulant

Question 5

When to treat immune thrombocytopenia? what is acute treatment? what if failed initial treatment/ what if refractory case?

Answer 5

Plt < 30,000 or risk of bleeding
Acute: IVIG, steroid
Failed: rituximab
Refractory: splenectomy

Question 6

How to differentiate Fe def anemia and thalassemia traits? in MCV, RDW, Ferritin

Answer 6

IDA: low MCV, high RDW, low ferritin
thalassemia: lower MCV, normal RDW, high ferritin

Question 7

What is a long term complications of IVC filter?

Answer 7

Recurrent DVT and IVC thrombosis