The Blood: An Overview Flashcards
The study of cellular elements of blood, the red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, in a normal state and during a pathological condition that effects them
Hematology
The quantitative and qualitative evaluation and interpretation of the formed elements of the blood
Hematology
The science encompassing the medical study of the blood and blood-Producing organs
Hematology
Describe homeostasis in hematology
Interactions between vessels, platelets, coagulation factors, Coagulation inhibitors and Finborough lytic proteins to maintain the blood within the vascular compartment in a fluid state. To preserve intravascular integrity by Achieving a balance between hemorrhage and thrombus
Homeostasis involves a balance between…
 hemorrhage and thrombus
What prevents blood from clotting?
Anticoagulants
_____________ help enhance the clotting mechanism
Clot activators
What is used as an inert material added to serve as a separation barrier between the liquid (Plasma or serum) And the cells?
Separator gel
______________ clot (Coagulation) Within minutes forming a semi solid jelly-like mass
What separates from the clot In the upper half of the tube after centrifugation?
Spontaneous
Pale yellow fluid (serum) 
What kind of studies is serum used for?
Chemistry and serological studies
What is serum depleted of?
Blood cells and coagulation factors
How does EDTA (purple top) prevent clotting?
By removing calcium
When EDTA is centrifuged the top layer yellow layer is now ________ and still contains the coagulation factors. What is found below this layer?
Plasma
WBCs and platelets are below in a thin whitish layer known as the “Buffy coat”
What are the normal EDTA proportions in a normal male adult?
52% plasma
1% buddy coat
47% hematocrit (The percentage of packed RBC in the whole blood volume) 
What are the three families of blood cells?
Erythrocytes, Leukocytes, and thrombocytes
What is the diameter of red blood cells and what are they filled with?
6-8 micrometers
Red blood cells have a central zone of _________
Pallor
 These control homeostasis in initiate repair to blood vessels
Platelets 
What are four characteristics of thrombocytes?
Anucleate
Round or oval
Slightly granular
2-4 Micrometers in diameter
 Thrombocytosis is too little or too much platelets?
Elevated levels
What is the main function of thrombocytes?
Homeostasis
Most Testing requires collection in what three tubes?
- EDTA-For whole blood determinations
- Sodium citrate- for coagulation determination
- Sodium or lithium heparin-For chemical and coagulation determination
- prevents coagulation by removing calcium from blood plasma by precipitation or binding in an ionized form
- Prevents platelet clumping
EDTA (purple top)
- prevents coagulation by removing calcium from plasma by precipitation or binding in unionized form
- necessary 1:9 Dilution factor
Sodium citrate (Light blue top)
-acts by forming a complex with plasma antithrombin three, which inhibits thrombin in other stages of clotting factor activation
Sodium or lithium heparin
What is the specimen collection of choice for whole blood determination?
EDTA
What are two ways EDTA is used?
•CBC (Complete blood count)
-Invert 2-7 times before “running” on machine
• differential analysis
-Make a peripheral blood smear and stain slide with Wright’s stain (Wrights-Giemsa or Romanowsky stain)
Purpose is to see the cells and evaluate morphology 
What is the choice specimen collection tube for Coagulation determination?
Sodium citrate
How is coagulation determination performed with sodium citrate collection tube?
-centrifuged in order to separate plasma from platelets and red cells
-After centrifugation, specimen is chilled at 18-24°C for a maximum of four hours before testing (This Preserves coagulation factors)

What are four additional tests in hematology?
- bone marrow examination
- Flow cytometry
- Cytogenetic testing
- Molecular diagnostics
What are the functions of blood?
- Supplies nutrients to all tissues, especially oxygen
- Carries end products of metabolism to the liver and kidneys for disposal
- Natural defense mechanisms [Phagocytic cells, Immunoglobulins (antibodies), Immunologic cells (lymphocytes)
- Coagulation

