Lecture 1: Introduction to Hematology Flashcards

1
Q

What are the 3 things involved in anemia?

A

Reduction in RBC count
Reduction in Hgb
Reduction in RBC mass

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2
Q

Define polycythemia.

A

Increase in the total number of RBCs.
Increase in amt of Hgb.
Increase in RBC mass.

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3
Q

Define anisocytosis.

A

Variable RBC size.

Measured by RDW (RBC Distribution Width)

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4
Q

Define Poikilocytosis.

A

Variable RBC shape.

Measured via peripheral blood smear?

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5
Q

Define polychromasia.

A

Increased reticulocyte count in peripheral blood smear.

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6
Q

Define hypochromia.

A

Central pallor that is greater than 1/3 of the RBC.

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7
Q

Define micro and macrocytosis.

A

RBC size.

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8
Q

How much of our body weight does whole blood make up?

A

7-8%

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9
Q

How much blood does the average male have? Female?

A

Male = 12 pints
Female = 9 pints

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10
Q

What are the 5 functions of blood?

A

O2 and nutrient transport
Clotting
Immune response
Waste transport
Temperature regulation

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11
Q

Why do males generally have more blood?

A

Combination of larger physical size + testosterone production induces minor RBC production in the bone marrow.

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12
Q

What 4 components make up whole blood?

A

Plasma (55%)
RBCs (45%)
WBCs & platelets (<1%)

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13
Q

What layer of whole blood are WBCs and platelets in?

A

Buffy coat, which is found in the middle of plasma and RBCs.

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14
Q

What is plasma derived from?

A

Water and salt from the large intestine.

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15
Q

Where are RBCs derived from?

A

Main site: Bone marrow
Secondary sites: liver & spleen

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16
Q

What is plasma mainly made of?

A

90% water.
10% proteins, hormones, insulin, electrolytes, and nutrients.

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17
Q

What are the primary functions of plasma?

A

Transporting RBCs, proteins, antibodies, etc.
Maintain BP

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18
Q

What is the primary function of an RBC?

A

Oxygenating tissue.

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19
Q

What are the two functions of Hgb?

A

Carrying O2 from lungs to tissues.
Carrying CO2 from tissues to lungs.

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20
Q

What hormone is responsible for RBC production?

A

EPO
Erythropoietin, produced by the kidneys.

Minor ones include testosterone and thyroid hormone.

21
Q

Where are most RBCs made?

A

Bone marrow.

22
Q

What is the lifespan of an RBC?

A

4 months, 120 days.

23
Q

What describes the shape of a normal RBC?

A

Flexible, bright red biconcave disc.

24
Q

What are the 5 types of WBCs?

A

Neutrophils (most abundant)
Lymphocyte
Monocyte
Eosinophil
Basophil

Note:
Never Let Monkeys Eat Bananas

Also keeps them in order of abundance

25
Q

When do I see a left band shift? Lymphocytosis?

A

Left band shift = Bacterial infections.

Lymphocytosis = Viral infections.

26
Q

What is unique about a platelet?

A

No nucleus.
It is a cell fragment.

27
Q

What hormone stimulates platelet production?

A

Thrombopoeitin, made by the liver and kidney.

28
Q

Where can I find extra platelets?

A

Spleen

29
Q

What is the lifespan of a platelet?

A

7-10 days.

30
Q

What is the typical differential breakdown of a diff?

A

50-70% neutrophils
0-5% band neutrophils
20-40% lymphocytes
2-6% monocytes
1-4% eosinophils
0-1% basophils

31
Q

What factors increase Hgb?

A

Male
Young infants
High altitude
Smokers

32
Q

What factors decrease Hgb?

A

Pregnancy
Female

33
Q

Why does smoking increase Hgb?

A

Left shift in Hgb dissociation curve due to inefficient Hgb. The body produces more Hgb to compensate.

34
Q

What is hematocrit?

A

RATIO of RBC volume to blood volume.

Hct = (RBC * MCV)/10

Hct = Hgb x3

35
Q

Who has the higher range of Hct?

A

Males.

36
Q

What is MCV?

A

Mean corpuscular volume, aka individual RBC size.

37
Q

What describes MCV status?

A

Microcytosis
Normocytosis
Macrocytosis

38
Q

What is MCH?

A

Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin, aka Amt/weight of Hgb per RBC. (Directly related to RBC size)

39
Q

What describes MCH status?

A

Hypochromia
Normochromia
Hyperchromia

40
Q

How is MCH calculated?

A

MCH = (Hgb/RBC) x 10

41
Q

How are anemias categorized?

A

MCV and MCH status, such as a normocytic hypochromic anemia.

42
Q

What is MCHC?

A

Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration, aka average Hgb concentration in each RBC.

It is a ratio of Hemoglobin to Hematocrit.

43
Q

How is MCHC calculated?

A

Hgb/Hct

44
Q

What is RDW?

A

RBC Distribution Width, aka Percentage of RBCs OUT of normal range in terms of size.

Directly related to MCV changes.

45
Q

What is increased RDW known as?

A

Anisocytosis.

Often includes reticulocytosis.

46
Q

What is the difference between thrombocytosis and thrombocythemia?

A

Thrombocythemia is technically primary thrombocytosis, aka idiopathic.

Overall, it just means high platelet counts.

47
Q

What is MPV?

A

Mean platelet volume, aka average size of platelets.

48
Q

When do I see increased MPV? Decreased MPV?

A

Increased MPV = increased platelet production bc young platelets are big.

Decreased MPV = decreased platelet production.

49
Q

What is the purpose of a peripheral blood smear?

A

Manually assessing blood cell morphology and cell counts.

Visualizing neoplastic cells from bone marrow.