Hematology P1 Flashcards
What are three things you always need from a patient when eval their hematopoietic system?
- History
- Physical exam with lymph node palp
- Complete blood count (CBC)
Whole blood is made up of… (2)
- Plasma
- Cells
What is plasma made up of? (5)
Water, proteins, sugars, lipids, & electrolytes
Three types of cells
- Erythrocytes
- Leukocytes
- Thrombocytes
Hematology means…
The study of blood
Red cells do what?
Carry oxygen
Platelets do what?
Intiate blood clotting
White cells do what?
They are the immune system
- Granulocytes & monocytes
- Lymphocytes
Granulocytes & monocytes VS Lymphocytes
Granulocytes & monocytes:
- Non specific, will attack anything foreign
- Direct attack
Lymphocytes:
- Specific immunity, attack what they’ve been programmed to do
- Create antibodies
Granulocytes definition and who are they?
Defined:
- Segmented nucleus & granules
Who?
- Neutrophil
- Eosinophil
- Basophil
Granule colors:
1. Neutrophil
2. Eosinophil
3. Basophil
- Neutrophil: Clear-gray granules
- Eosinophil: Pink/red granules
- Basophil: Blue to purple granules
Agranules defined and who are they?
Defined:
- No granules
Who?
- Lymphocytes
- Monocytes
Nucleus shape and cell size:
1. Lymphocytes
2. Monocytes
- Lymphocytes:
- Round nucleus
- 7-9um - Monocytes:
- Variable nucleus (“horseshoe” shape often)
- Large!! 12-14um
What are the 7 parameters of the CBC?
- Total RBC count
- PCV/TP - total protein
- Erythrocyte indicies
- WC differential
- Total WBC count
- Absolute count
- Platelet count
Red cell count:
Eval for anemia or polycythemia (excess RBCs)
Red cell morphology
- Size of RBCs indicates low iron or increased production.
- Appearance of RBCs may indicate specific disease processes.
Total WBC count:
High “Leukocytosis”
- Certain infections
- Inflammation
- Certain neoplasia (cancer)
- Hyperadrenocorticism or corticosteroid use
Total WBC count:
Low “Leukopenia”
- Certain infections
- Bone marrow damage
- Hypoadrenocorticism
Platelet count:
High “Thrombocytosis”
- Hyperadrenocorticism or steroid use
- Rare bone marrow neoplasia
Platelet count:
Low “Thrombocytopenia”
- Massive hemorrhage (ex: hit by car)
- Certain infections (tick borne is common)
- Immune system destruction
- Risk for clotting disorder
Automated analyzers
Manual count methods:
Hemocytometer
- Counting chamber to determine no. of cells per uL
- Set up as a grad pattern to count number of either WBC or WBC per uL
- Cell are counted systematically from left to right and averaged
WBC differential count
What is it?
How is it done?
- Knowing the exact amount of each white cell type. This provides much info on the body state.
- How:
- Blood smear is stained w/a Wrights stain
- 100 cells in the feathered edge are counted as a specific cell type
- Percentage of each is multiplied by total WBC
Erythrocyte Indices assist:
And they find… (3)
- Erythrocyte indices assist in classification of anemias.
- Find:
- Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)
- Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH)
- Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC)
