Pathophysiology: Hematology Flashcards
Hemoglobinopathy
Disorder affecting the structure, function, or production of hemoglobin; inherited; range fr asymptomatic to deadly.
Hemolysis / Hemolytic
Destruction of RBCs –> hemoglobin is liberated
Coagulopathy
Bleeding disorder affecting clotting of the blood
Polycythemia
Elevated hemoglobin
Apparent Polycythemia
Plasma level is down so hemoglobin level seems elevated
Aplasia
Incomplete, defective, or a stop in the usual regenerative process of blood
Cytosis
More than the usual # of cells are circulating in the blood
Cytopenia
Reduction in number of cells in the blood
Anisocytosis
Variation in size and shape of RBCs
Poikilocytosis
Presence of poikilocytes in the blood
Poikilocytes
Abnormally shaped red cells
Anemia
Hematocrit is less than 41% in males and less than 36% in women… i.e. hemoglobin is less than 13.5 g/dL in men or less than 12 g/dL in women
Pathway to a platelet
pluripotential cell –> myeloid multipotential cell –> megakaryocyte colony forming cell –> Megakaryoblast –> Megakaryocyte –> Platelet
Thrombocytopenia
Low Platelets
Pathway to B or T Cell
Pluripotential Cell –> Lymphoid Multipotential Cell –> Lymphoid Colony Stimulating Factor –> Lymphoblast –> B and T lymphocytes
To check for low folic acid, what lab should you draw?
Homocysteine
To check for low B-12, what lab should you draw?
Methylmalonic Acid
Mean Cell Volume for Macrocytic Anemia
100 and Above (Hemaglobin & Hematocrit will be low)
MCV for Normocytic Anemia
MCV = 80-100 (Hemaglobin & Hematrocrit
MCV for Microcytic Anemia
Under 80
Anemias by Morphology
Macrocytic, Microcytic, Normocytic
Microcytic Anemias
Iron Deficiency, Thalassemia (major/minor)
Iron deficiency pathophysiology
Problem synthesizing hemoglobin b/c iron component is lacking
Iron deficiency is _____________________
blood loss until proven otherwise
Etiology of iron deficiency (5):
1) blood loss (GIB, menstrual, blood donation), 2) decreased absorption (post gastrectoy, celiac disease, h.pylori), 3) increased demand (pregnancy), 4) dietary deficiency, 5) iron sequestration
Iron deficiency signs:
smooth tongue, brittle nails, koilonychias, cheilosis
Iron deficiency symptoms:
tachycardia, tachypnea on exertion, pica, fatigue, palpitations
Iron deficiency treatment:
Take oral iron (with Vitamin C)
Thalassemia
Defect in the globin part of the hemoglobin
Thalassemia Etiology / Types
Genetic / Alpha and Beta
Thalassemia Major / Minor
Major = homozygous, Minor = heterozygous
Thalassemia Treatment
NO IRON; don’t over-treat, if necessary, blood transfusions
Alpha Thalassemia is common in:
SE Asia, China, ME, Africa; Asia can get Major, Africa will not
Beta Thalassemia is common in:
Mediterranean origin (lesser extent Asia/Africa)
Macrocytic Anemias:
Folic Acid Deficiency, B-12 Deficiency, Liver Disease, Myelodysplasia
Megaloblasts / Megaloblastic Anemias
Large, Immature Red Cells / Low B-12, Folic Acid
Pathophys of Megaloblastic Anemias
DNA synthesis is inhibited; cell grows, but does not go through division.
Folic Acid Deficiency Etiology
Malnutrition, alcoholism, pregnancy (increased demand)
B-12 Deficiency Etiology
Disruption in intestinal mucosa absorption: surgery, alcoholism, celiac disease
Pernicious Anemia
Body can’t absorb enough B-12
Signs and Symptoms of B12/Folic Acid deficiency
Pallor, glossitis, diarrhea, paresthesia, memory impairment
Side Effects of All Anemias
Tachycardia, tachypnea, fatigue w/ exercise, palpitations