The Glossary: Define the following

Question 1

Anaemia

Answer 1

deficiency of RBCs and haemoglobin in the blood

Question 2

Neutrophilia

Answer 2

increased neutrophils

Question 3

Neutropenia

Answer 3

decreased neutrophils

Question 4

Lymphocytosis

Answer 4

increased lymphocytes

Question 5

Atypical mononuclear cells

Answer 5

Atypical reactive (CD8) lymphocytes in certain infections such as Glandular fever and viral hepatitis

Question 6

Thrombocytopenia

Answer 6

reduced platelets

Question 7

Thrombocytosis

Answer 7

increased platelets

Question 8

Hypochromic/Microcytic RBCs

(what conditions is it present in? [3])

Answer 8

1. Poorly haemoglobinised and small RBCs (↓MCH ↓MCV)
2. Seen in:
   
   • iron deficiency,
   • chronic disease
   • thalassaemia trait

Question 9

Reticulocytes [3]

Answer 9

1. Immature RBCs. Normally <2% of RBCs.
2. No nucleus but some persisting RNA
3. Polychromatic (blue-purple) appearance in the blood film

Question 10

Rouleaux

Answer 10

RBC columns seen in samples with raised globulin or raised fibrinogen levels

i.e. myeloma, chronic inflammation/infection

Question 11

Target cells

Answer 11

RBC appearance frequently seen in liver disease (particularly in biliary obstruction), also seen in haemoglobinopathies

Question 12

Spherocytes

Answer 12

Spherocytic RBCs seen in haemolysis particularly autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA) and hereditary spherocytosis

Question 13

Howell-Jolly Bodies

Answer 13

Nuclear fragments in RBC in hyposplenic patients

Question 14

Macrocytes

Answer 14

• Large RBCs (↑MCV) seen in:
  
  • B12/folate deficiency,
  • hepatic disease,
  • hypothyroidism

Question 15

Anisopoiklocytosis

Answer 15

Abnormalities of RBC shape & size in B12/folate deficiency

Question 16

Direct Coombs test (DCT)/Direct Antiglobulin Test (DAGT)

Answer 16

Test to detect presence of antibody on RBC surface

(Positive in AIHA, HDN)

Question 17

Megaloblasts

Answer 17

the abnormal nucleated RBC precursors seen in B12 or Folate deficiency

Question 18

Megakaryocytes

Answer 18

Platelet precursors

Question 19

Myeloma

Answer 19

Malignant proliferation of Plasma Cells in the Bone Marrow. Note this is a Lymphoproliferative disease NOT a Myeloproliferative Disease

Question 20

Prothrombin (PT) time

Answer 20

Test of extrinsic pathway of coagulation sensitive to warfarin and liver disease

Question 21

PTT

Answer 21

Partial Thromboplasmin Time also known as APTT (activated PTT) and KCCT (Kaolin Cephalin clotting time)

Measure of Intrinsic pathway sensitive to IV Heparin

Question 22

Purpura/Petechiae

Answer 22

Pin point bleeding on skin and mucous membranes usually due to thrombocytopenia or less commonly vasculitis

Question 23

Indirect Coombs Test

Answer 23

test to detect the presence of RBC antibodies in plasma

this test is the basis of the Cross Match and the antibody screen in Group and Screen