QBC Star Flashcards
What are the RBC Indices (characteristics)?
Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)
Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH)
Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC)
RBC Distribution Width (RDW)
What does a WBC and differential test for?
Infection and leukemia
Monitor body’s response to treatments and bone marrow function
What is the normal WBC range?
4.5-11.0 x 10^3/mm^3
Critical WBC values
Low <2,000/mm^3
High 30,000/mm^3
What is another term for granulocytes?
Polymorphonuclear leukocytes
What is the most abundant phagocyte and what does it do?
Neutrophil, important in defense against infectious disease
50-70% of WBCs
What type of WBC participates in inflammatory conditions like allergic reactions, asthma, and myocardial diseases?
Eosinophils (1-5%)
They destroy helminths by generating potent antioxidants and releasing cationic proteins. They also suppress inflammatory reactions.
What is the least abundant WBC?
Basophils (0-1%)
They are abundant with histamine, heparin, chondroitin sulfate, peroxidase, platelet activating factor, and other substances.
What WBC has a varied amount of granules that are numerous enough to partially conceal its nucleus?
Basophils
What is the second most abundant WBC?
Lymphocytes (20-40%)
A finding of ___ in infants and young kids indicates lymphocytosis.
10 x 109/L
A finding of ____ in adults indicates lymphocytosis.
4.0 x 109/L
How do you calculate the absolute lymphocyte count?
Multiply the percentage of lymphocytes by the total leukocyte count.
Normal reference range is 1.2 - 3.4 x 109/L
What two cells make up the mononuclear phagocyte system (aka the reticuloendothelial system)
Blood monocytes and tissue macrophages
This system plays an important role in defense against microorganisms.
Normal M and F RBC ranges.
Male: 4.5-5.0 x 10^6 cells/uL
Female: 4.5-5.1 x 10^6 cells/uL
RBC indices are helpful for evaluating what disorders?
Anemias
Polycythemia
Nutritional disorders
Mean Corpuscular Volume
An estimate of the average volume (size) of RBCs.
It is the most clinically useful RBC indices.
- An INCREASE is associated with B12 or folate deficiency.
- A DECREASE implies an abnormality in Hgb synthesis.
Normal MCV range
24-32 pg/cell