Hematopoiesis and Basic Hematology Testing Flashcards
What is Hematology?
Study of blood cells and blood disorders. Used to predict, detect, and diagnose blood diseases and many systemic diseases that affect blood cells
Describe a RBC.
Anucleated, biconcave, discoid cells filled with reddish protein, and hemoglobin
Transports oxygen and carbon dioxide
Appearance: Salmon pink, 7-8 micrometers in diameter, Biconcave zone of pallor, ⅔ of the center
120 days in circulation
Types of WBCs found in peripheral blood of a healthy individual
Neutrophil
Eosinophil
Basophil
Lymphocyte
Monocyte
Describe Platelets
Small fragments of cytoplasm derived from megakaryocytes.
Blood cells that maintain blood vessel integrity by initiating vessel wall repairs.
Rapidly adhere to damaged blood vessel and forms a platelet plug with neighboring platelets and release small molecules that trigger thrombosis or clot formation.
Appearance:
2-4 micrometers
Round or oval, anucleated
“Cell fragments”
Slightly granular
What are the three distinct layers of Blood
Plasma, buffy coat, erythrocytes
What is Plasma
Makes up 55% of blood
Straw color
Contains cellular elements and dissolved substances
Water, proteins, nutrients, hormones, etc…
What is Buffy coat
<1% of whole blood sample
Contains WBCs and platelets
Cause for specimen rejection
Specimens containing clots and/or fibrin strands
Grossly hemolyzed samples
Samples drawn above the IV line
Mislabeled specimens
Specimen Collection of Blood
EDTA anticoagulant tube - Prevent clotting. Preserves the stain and morphology of cells
Sodium citrate is an alternate for platelet clumping or platelet satellitism on EDTA specimen
Specimen stability: 48 hour stored at 2-8 C, 24 hour stored at room temp. May exhibit an increase in MCV after 24 hours
Other tube type collection:
Sodium citrate: Shrinks cells, used for platelet and coagulation testing
Heparin: Natural anticoagulant in the body, may interfere with staining of cells and cause WBC clumping
