Hematopathology - Schoenwald Flashcards
Anemia is a ______ in RBC count and erythrocytosis is a ________ in RBC count. (Not going into super detail on this lecture because we did a lot of this in clin med, feel free to add stuff)
decrease increase
Name 3 mechanisms of anemia.
- Blood loss
- Decreased RBC production
- Increased RBC destruction
What is a reticulocyte?
Immature RBC
What are schistocytes?
RBC fragments
What is erythroblastosis fetalis?
It is an Rh factor incompatibility between mother and fetus leading to anemia due to increased destruction of RBCs.
People with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria have acquired a defect in what gene?
Phosphatidylinositol class A (PIG-A)
What two organs remove RBCs from circulation?
Spleen and liver
An increase in unconjugated bilirubin levels is associated with what clinical findings?
Jaundice and gallstones
Name 2 conditions associated with spherocytes
hereditary spherocytosis
immune hemolysis
Name 2 conditions associated with schistocytes
TTP
HUS
(also, having a mechanical valve)
What type of conditions should be associated with target cells?
Hemoglobinopathies (thalassemia)
What condition is associated with teardrops?
Myelofibrosis
What is a rouleaux and what is one condition they are commonly seen in?
“stacking of coins” - RBCs are stacked together.
Common in multiple myeloma
Which thalassemia is more worrisome, alpha or beta thalassemia?
Beta
A patient with alpha thalassemia, with a loss of 3 copies of the alpha globulin chain gene will have which of the following?
a) the patient will be stillborn
b) the patient will have marked anemia
c) the patient will be a carrier for alpha thalassemia
d) the patient with be asymptomatic with a low MCV
b)the patient will have marked anemia
What patient population is most commonly diagnosed with beta thalassemia?
Patients of Mediterranean descent
T/F? Patients with beta thalassemia minor usually require blood transfusions
False - patients with beta thalassemia major usually require blood transfusions.
There are ____ copies of alpha globulin and ____ copies of beta globulin. This is important for classifying thalassemias
4 alpha, 2 beta
you have a patient who is asymptomatic but their labs exhibited a low MCV. Upon further investigation they have a loss of 2 of the alpha globulin chains. this is characteristic of what disease
alpha thalassemia
a complete loss of the hemoglobin protein is what disease?
Beta thalassemia
Beta thalassemia major is usually seen at 6 months of age due to the loss of _____ which transitions into ____
Hgb F (fetal) and it transitions into Hgb A (adult)