Hematology (I and II) Flashcards
What is the basic physiology of blood?
- Transport dissolved gases, nutrients, hormones and wastes.
- Regulate pH and ionic composition.
- Restrict fluid loss at injury sites.
- Defend against pathogens and toxins.
- Stabilize body temperature.
What is the role of hemoglobin and the influence of erythropoietin (EPO)?
Hemoglobin is responsible for the body’s ability to transport oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Erythropoietin is the hormone that stimulates erythropoiesis;
Released:
1) during anemia
2) when blood flow to kidneys decreases
3) when oxygen content of air in lung decreases
4) when respiratory surfaces of lungs are damaged
What is the average lifespan of RBCs?
What is the normal percentage of reticulocytes?
Typical lifespan of RBCs is 120 days.
Normal percentage of reticulocytes is 0.8%.
What is polycythemia?
An increased in RBC per unit volume of peripheral blood.
- Absolute: increase in total red cell mass
- Relative: results from dehydration.
(1 of 3)
Define the following terms:
1) reticulocytes
2) hematocrit
3) macrocytosis
4) microcytosis
Reticulocytes:
- immature RBC’s that had just shed its nucleus.
Hematocrit (HCT):
- percentage of formed elements (RBC, WBC, PLT) in sample of blood
Macrocytosis:
Enlargement of RBC defined by MCV > 101 μm3/cell.
Microcytosis:
Small RBC as measured by MCV. < 82 μm3/cell.
(2 of 3)
Define the following:
5) MCV
6) MCH
7) RDW
8) MCHC
MCV - mean corpuscular volume
= average volume per RBC
MCH - mean cell hemoglobin
= average mass of hemoglobin per RBC
RDW - red cell distribution width
= coefficient of variation RBC volume
MCHC - mean cell hemoglobin concentration
= average concentration of hemoglobin in a given volume of packed RBCs
(3 of 3)
Define the following:
9) Hypochromic
10) Megaloblastic
11) Haptoglobin
12) Hemoglobinopathy
Hypochromic
- pale RBC due to average weight of hemoglobin in one RBC is < 27 ug/RBC (poorly hemoglobinized)
Megaloblastic
- condition that causes larger than normal erythroid progenitors with delicate, finely reticulated nuclear chromatin (nuclear immaturity)
Haptoglobin
- protein in serum that binds to and removes free hemoglobin from blood stream
Hemoglobinopathy
- hereditary condition involving abnormality in the structure of hemoglobin
What is anemia and the mechanism in which it may occur?
Condition as a result from low hematocrit or reduced hemoglobin.
Mechanism:
Blood loss
— acute (trauma)
— chronic (GI tract lesions, gyn disturbances)
Intrinsic factors
— hereditary (membrane abnormalities, enzyme deficiencies)
— acquired (paroxysmal nocturnal hemglobinuria)
Extrinsic factors
— Ab-mediated (transfusion rxn, lupus)
— mechanical (injury)
— infection (malaria)
Impaired RBC production
— disturbed stem cell, erythrocyte production, marrow replacement/inflitration
Describe the patterns of anemia seen in both acute and chronic blood loss.
Acute:
- decreased intravascular volume leading to cardiovascular collapse, shock and death.
- diluted hematocrit, kidneys release EPO
Chronic:
- rate of blood loss exceeds regenerative capacity of marrow
- depletion of iron reserves (Fe deficiency)
What is the difference between extravascular and intravascular causes of hemolytic anemia and their characteristic physiologic responses.
Extravascular
- caused by defects that increase destruction of RBC by phagocytes, particularly in spleen
- hyperbilirubinemia, jaundice, splenomegaly, gallstones and cholelithiasis
Intravascular
- caused by mechanical injuries, complement fixation or intracellular parasites resulting in RBC rupture
- anemia, hemoglobinemia,
hemoglobinuria, hemosiderinuria, jaundice
Describe the following for hereditary spherocytosis:
1) underlying defect
2) life expectancy of RBCs
3) common clinical features
4) treatment of anemia
5) complications
1) Underlying defect
- – intrinsic defect in RBC membrane skeleton
- – RBC is spheroid, less deformable, vulnerable to splenic sequestration and destruction
2) Life expectancy
- – 10-20 days
3) Common clinical features
- – anemia
- – splenomegaly
- – jaundice
4) Treatment of anemia
- – increased EPO
- – transfusion v. splenectomy
5) Complications
- – aplastic crises, parvovirus infection w/o new RBC
Describe the following for G6PD deficiency:
1) underlying genetics
2) typical patient
3) common triggers
4) two highly characteristic findings
1) Underlying genetics
- – Recessive, X-linked
- – G6PD A-
2) Typical patients
- – males
- – Middle East > African Americans
3) Common triggers
- – oxidant stress (infection, drugs, foods)
4) Two highly characteristic findings:
- – Heinz bodies (oxidized Hgb denatures and precipitates)
- – Bite cells (plucked out Heinz bodies by spleen)
Describe the following for sickle cell anemia:
1) underlying pathogenesis
2) mendelian heritage
3) organs affected by vaso-occlusive crises.
1) Underlying pathogenesis
- – caused by single amino acid substitution in beta-globin resulting in deoxygenated Hgb to self-associate into long polymers that deform into “sickle” shape.
2) Mendelian heritage
- – autosomal recessive
3) Organs affected
- – brain, retina, lungs, kidneys, liver, bones, skin
What is the underlying cause of ALPHA-thalassemia as compared to BETA-thalassemia?
ALPHA:
- deletions of one or more alpha-globulin genes.
BETA:
- no beta-globulin chains are produced
- reduced beta-globulin synthesis
Describe the anemia caused by ALPHA-thalassemia and BETA-thalassemia.
- Inadequate HbA formation resulting in small, poorly hemoglobinized cell
(microcytic, hypochromic) - Accumulation of unpaired alpha-globin chains which form toxic precipitates that damages RBC membranes.
What factor is required for Vitamin B12 absorption? Where is this factor secreted from?
Intrinsic factor - secreted from parietal cells of the fundic mucosa
What is the typical patient with pernicious anemia
Older adults (~60 y/o)
Caucasians and Scandinavians
Genetic predisposition suspected
Most have chronic gastritis.
What is the neurologic effects of severe, persistent Vitamin B12 deficiency?
Spastic pareparesis
Sensory ataxia
Severe paresthesia in lower limbs
Changes in ganglia of posterior roots and peripheral nerves
What are the three mechanisms a person may become folate deficient?
1) Decreased intake/diet (alcoholics, elderly, malabsorption, etc)
2) Increased requirement/demand (pregnancy, cancer, hemolytic anemia)
3) Folate antagonists (methotrexate)
Are there any neurologic findings in folate deficiency? If so, what are they?
There are NO neurologic findings in folate deficiency. Folate does not prevent neurologic findings seen in Vitamin B12.
What are the four (4) mechanisms a person may become iron deficient? Which of the four is most common in the US?
- Chronic blood loss (most common in US) - GI bleed, cancer
- Low intake, poor bioavailability - vegetarian diets
- Increased demands during pregnancy and infancy
- Malabsorption with celiac disease or after gastrectomy.
Describe the resulting anemia of iron deficiency.
Microcytic anemia.
Due to iron store depletion.