Module 16: Hematologic Emergencies

Question 1

What are the two main blood disorders?

Answer 1

Sickle cell anemia and clotting disorders

Question 2

What are the two components of blood?

Answer 2

formed elements
plasma

Question 3

What are formed elements?

Answer 3

white/red blood cells and platelets

Question 4

Anemia results in a low production of ____, which have a lifespan of only __ days

Answer 4

RBCs
16

Question 5

Clotting refers to __ while clumping refers to ___

Answer 5

platelets, RBCs

Question 6

Where in the body does sickle cell crisis most often occur?

Answer 6

the joints, due to lack of O2

Question 7

How should sickle cell crises be treated by an EMT?

Answer 7

Oxygen

Question 8

Patients with clotting disorders either…

Answer 8

clot too much, or not at all

Question 9

What is thrombophilia?

Answer 9

tendency to develop blood clots
nearly 40% experience pulmonary embolism
blood thinning medications often prescribed

Question 10

Name some risk factors for thrombophilia

Answer 10

recent surgery, impaired mobility, CHF, cancer, age, oral contraceptive, smoking, obesity

Question 11

What is hemophilia?

Answer 11

Decreased ability to clot
occurs predominantly in males

Question 12

What sort of medications should you ask about for patients with hemophilia?

Answer 12

Clotting factors

Question 13

During your assessment of a 19-year-old male, you are told that he is being treated with factor VIII. This indicates that he has:

Answer 13

hemophilia, factor VIII is a clotting factor

Question 14

A 30-year-old female presents with severe acute pain to the left upper quadrant of her abdomen. During your assessment, she tells you that she has sickle cell disease. You should suspect that:

Answer 14

her spleen is enlarged because of RBC engorgement