Hematology Vocabulary

Question 1

anemia

Answer 1

Group of blood disorders involving either a reduction in number of circulating erythrocytes or amount of hemoglobin in red blood cells;

Question 2

anticoagulant

Answer 2

Any substance that prevents clot formation

Question 3

blood culture and sensitivity (C&S)

Answer 3

Blood specimen incubated to check for bacterial growth;

Question 4

blood transfusion

Answer 4

Transfer of blood from one person to another

Question 5

bone marrow aspiration

Answer 5

Removal of small sample of bone marrow by needle and examined for diseases such as leukemia or aplastic anemia

Question 6

complete blood count (CBC)

Answer 6

Comprehensive blood test that includes red blood cell count, white blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, white blood cell differential, and platelet count

Question 7

embolus

Answer 7

Commonly called floating clot; usually piece of thrombus breaks away and floats through bloodstream until it lodges in a smaller blood vessel and blocks blood flow.

Question 8

hematocrit

Answer 8

Blood test that measures volume of red blood cells within total volume of blood

Question 9

hematoma

Answer 9

Blood collection under skin by escaping into tissue from damaged blood vessel;

Question 10

hemoglobin

Answer 10

Blood test that measures amount of hemoglobin present in given volume of blood

Question 11

leukemia

Answer 11

Cancer of leukocyte-forming red bone marrow; patient has large number of abnormal and immature leukocytes circulating in blood

Question 12

phlebotomy

Answer 12

Removal of blood specimen from vein for lab tests; also called venipuncture

Question 13

prothrombin time

Answer 13

Blood test that measures how long it takes for clot to form after prothrombin, a blood clotting protein, is activated

Question 14

septicemia

Answer 14

Presence of bacteria or their toxins in bloodstream; commonly called blood poisoning

Question 15

serum

Answer 15

Blood that has had formed elements and clotting factors removed

Question 16

sickle cell anemia

Answer 16

Inherited blood cell disorder in which erythrocytes take on an abnormal curved or sickle shape; cells are fragile and easily damaged resulting in anemia;

Question 17

white blood cell count

Answer 17

Blood test that determines number of leukocytes in volume of blood;

Question 18

CBC

Answer 18

complete blood count

Question 19

lymphs

Answer 19

lymphocytes

Question 20

RBC

Answer 20

red blood cell, red blood count

Question 21

WBC

Answer 21

white blood cell, white blood count