lymph problems - Sheet1

Question 1

What is lymphadenopathy?

Answer 1

Lymphadenopathy is the enlargement of lymph nodes that becomes palpable and tender, indicating an underlying health issue.

Question 2

What is local lymphadenopathy?

Answer 2

Local lymphadenopathy refers to the enlargement of lymph nodes that drain a nearby inflammatory lesion.

Question 3

What causes local lymphadenopathy?

Answer 3

Local lymphadenopathy is often associated with localized infections or inflammatory processes. It is common in lymphomas with localized nodes.

Question 4

What is generalized lymphadenopathy?

Answer 4

Generalized lymphadenopathy involves multiple lymph nodes throughout the body and can indicate more systemic issues.

Question 5

What are the causes of generalized lymphadenopathy?

Answer 5

Generalized lymphadenopathy can be caused by:
- Malignant Diseases: Lung cancer, bone cancer.
- Nonmalignant Diseases: Tuberculosis, syphilis, systemic lupus erythematosus.

Question 6

What are the etiologies of lymphadenopathy?

Answer 6

Etiologies include:
- Infections: Bacterial, viral, or fungal.
- Neoplastic Disease: Cancers, especially lymphomas and metastatic cancers.
- Immunologic or Inflammatory Conditions: Autoimmune diseases and inflammation.
- Lipid Storage Diseases: Metabolic disorders like Gaucher disease.
- Unknown Causes: Sometimes the cause remains unidentified.

Question 7

What are the clinical implications of lymphadenopathy?

Answer 7

Evaluation and diagnosis are essential to determine the underlying cause of lymphadenopathy and guide appropriate management.

Question 8

What is neutropenia?

Answer 8

Neutropenia is defined as a reduction in circulating neutrophils, with an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of less than 2000 cells per microliter or less than 40% of total white blood cells.

Question 9

What are the classifications of neutropenia?

Answer 9

Neutropenia can be classified into three categories:
- Primary Neutropenia: Congenital conditions related to congenital immunodeficiency diseases.
- Acquired Neutropenia: Results from multiple conditions such as aplastic anemia, leukemias, lymphomas (both Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s), and myelodysplastic syndrome.
- Secondary Neutropenia: Occurs due to lower neutrophil counts from other disorders, such as immune disorders and drug effects.

Question 10

What are the common etiologies of neutropenia?

Answer 10

Common etiologies include:
- Prolonged severe infections
- Decreased neutrophil production
- Reduced neutrophil survival
- Abnormal neutrophil distribution and sequestration.

Question 11

How is neutropenia diagnosed?

Answer 11

Neutropenia is diagnosed through measuring the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) as part of a complete blood count (CBC).

Question 12

What is the role of platelets in hemostasis?

Answer 12

Hemostasis relies on adequate numbers of platelets, which help form a hemostatic plug at the site of blood vessel injury, thereby preventing excessive bleeding.

Question 13

What are the effects of diminished hemostasis?

Answer 13

Diminished hemostasis can lead to either internal or external hemorrhage, resulting in bleeding disorders.

Question 14

What are petechiae and purpura?

Answer 14

Petechiae are small red-purple discolorations on the skin caused by diffuse hemorrhage into skin tissues. Larger discolorations are referred to as purpura.

Question 15

What are the potential complications of clotting disorders?

Answer 15

Clotting disorders can lead to thromboembolic disease, which is characterized by the formation of blood clots that can obstruct blood vessels, potentially leading to serious complications such as strokes or pulmonary embolism.

Question 16

What is thrombocytopenia?

Answer 16

Thrombocytopenia is a condition characterized by a platelet count of less than 100,000/mm³ in the blood.

Question 17

What are the implications of low platelet counts?

Answer 17

A platelet count of <50,000/mm³ can result in hemorrhage from minor trauma, <20,000/mm³ can lead to spontaneous bleeding, and <10,000/mm³ poses a risk of severe and potentially fatal bleeding.

Question 18

What is heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)?

Answer 18

HIT is an immune-mediated adverse drug reaction caused by IgG antibodies against the heparin-platelet factor 4 complex, which can lead to thrombosis.

Question 19

What should be done if HIT is suspected?

Answer 19

If HIT is suspected, heparin must be stopped immediately to prevent further complications.

Question 20

What is disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)?

Answer 20

DIC is a complex, acquired disorder characterized by both clotting and hemorrhage due to increased fibrin and thrombin activity in the blood, leading to excessive clot formation and accelerated fibrinolysis.

Question 21

What are common etiologies of DIC?

Answer 21

Common causes of DIC include sepsis, cancer or acute leukemia, trauma, and blood transfusion.

Question 22

What is the pathophysiologic mechanism of DIC?

Answer 22

DIC involves abnormally widespread activation of the clotting process, leading to intravascular clotting and the consumption of coagulation factors and platelets, resulting in subsequent bleeding and organ hypoperfusion due to obstructed blood flow.

Question 23

What are the manifestations of DIC?

Answer 23

Symptoms of DIC include bleeding from venipuncture sites, invasive lines, and surgical wounds, as well as purpura, petechiae, hematomas, and symmetric cyanosis of the fingers and toes.

Question 24

How is DIC diagnosed?

Answer 24

Diagnosis of DIC is based on a history and physical examination (H&P), elevated D-dimer levels, and low fibrinogen levels.

Question 25

What is thromboembolic disease?

Answer 25

Thromboembolic disease is a disorder caused by a fixed clot (thrombus) or a moving clot (embolus) that obstructs blood flow within a vessel, depriving distal tissues of nutrients.

Question 26

What are the potential consequences of thromboembolic disease?

Answer 26

Thromboembolic disease can lead to tissue death when clots obstruct blood flow to vital organs such as the heart, brain, or lungs.

Question 27

What are the types of thrombi associated with thromboembolic disease?

Answer 27

There are two main types of thrombi: arterial thrombi, which are linked to defects in proteins involved in hemostasis, and venous thrombi, which can arise from various clinical disorders or conditions.

Question 28

What factors contribute to the development of spontaneous thrombi?

Answer 28

The risk of developing spontaneous thrombi is related to the Virchow triad, which includes: 1) Injury to the blood vessel endothelium (e.g., atherosclerosis), 2) Abnormalities of blood flow, and 3) Hypercoagulability of the blood.

Question 29

What is hypercoagulability (thrombophilia)?

Answer 29

Hypercoagulability, or thrombophilia, is a condition where an individual is at an increased risk for thrombosis, which can be classified as primary (hereditary defects in hemostatic proteins) or secondary (acquired conditions promoting venous stasis).

Question 30

What are the differences between primary and secondary hypercoagulability?

Answer 30

Primary hypercoagulability is due to hereditary defects in proteins involved in hemostasis, while secondary hypercoagulability results from conditions or diseases that promote venous stasis and deficiencies of anticoagulation proteins.