The Hematologic System

Question 1

Reduction in the total number of erythrocytes in the circulating blood or in the quality or quantity of hemoglobin

Answer 1

Anemia

Question 2

What are possible causes of anemia?

Answer 2

• Impaired erythrocyte production
• Acute or chronic blood loss
• Increased erythrocyte destruction
• Combination of the above

Question 3

How are anemias classified?

Answer 3

1) According to size

2) According to cause

Question 4

This type of anemia is also termed megaloblastic anemia that are characterized by larger RBCs w/normal levels of hemoglobin.

Answer 4

Normochromic-Macrocytic Anemias

-
(MCV>100)

Question 5

What is Normochromic-Macrocytic anemia most commonly caused by?

Answer 5

• Defective DNA synthesis: Deficiency of VB12 (PA) or folate (-PA = Pernicious Anemia)
• Ribonucleic acid (RNA) processes occur at a normal rate: Results in unequal growth of the nucleus and cytoplasm

Question 6

What is pernicious anemia/B12 deficiency caused by?

Answer 6

Caused by a lack of intrinsic factor from the gastric parietal cells…Required for vitamin B12 absorption

Question 7

Abnormal size of RBCs?

Answer 7

Anisocytosis

Question 8

Abnormal shape of RBCs?

Answer 8

Poikilocytosis

Question 9

Pyridoxine

Answer 9

Vitamin B6

Question 10

Characterized by red cells that are relatively normal in size and hemoglobin content but insufficient in number

Answer 10

Normochromic-Normocytic Anemias

• Classified as nonhemolytic vs. hemolytic
• Further classified by cause and location

Question 11

A reduction or absence of all three blood cell types.

Answer 11

pancytopenia (RBC, WBC, & Platelets)