W1- Approach to full blood count

Question 1

3 blood components

Answer 1

• plasma
• Buffy coat
• RBCs

Question 2

What are the 7 indices of Red blood cells?

*parameters looked at when evaluating RBCs and their characteristics

Answer 2

• Haemoglobin (Hb)
• Red cell count
• Haematocrit (Hct)
• Mean cell volume (MCV)
• Mean cell haemoglobin (MCH)
• Mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC)
• Red cell distribution width (RDW)

Question 3

Determines the type of anemia depending on the size of the RBCs

Answer 3

Mean Cell Volume (MCV)

Question 4

Name 3 types of anemia determined by the Mean Cell Volume

Answer 4

• Microcytic anemia: With a MCV <80
• Normocytic anemia: MCV 80-95
• Macrocytic anemia: MCV >95

Question 5

The most alarming form of anaemia, associated with megaloblastic anaemia

Answer 5

macrocytic anemia

Question 6

What is the reticulocyte production index (RPI)?

Answer 6

Assesses the rate of reticulocyte production in the bone marrow in response to anaemia

Question 7

Interpret the 3 possible outcomes from a Reticulocyte Production Index (RPI)

Answer 7

• < 1% - decreased production
• 1 –2% - normal
• > 2% - increased production (increased production compensates for the massive decline in RBC due to anaemia )

Question 8

What is pancytopenia?

Answer 8

Pancytopenia refers to a reduction (below the normal reference interval) in the number of all three lineages: red cells, white cells and
platelets

Question 9

How is the decline in WBCs marked or recognised?

Answer 9

through neutropenia

Question 10

pancytopenia is seen when_______

Answer 10

• Haemoglobin < below the normal reference interval for age and sex
• Neutrophils <1.6 x 109/l
• Platelets <150 x109/l

Question 11

what is the distribution of wbc in the blood?

Answer 11

Total white cell count 4-11 X 10^9/L
-Neutrophils 1.6-7.5
Lymphocytes 1.5-3.5
Monocytes 0.2-0.8
Eosinophils 0.04-0.44
Basophils 0.01-0.1

Question 12

what is a scattergram?

Answer 12

-scattergrams are often used in hematology to display the distribution of different types of blood cells, such as red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
- These graphs can help healthcare professionals analyze and interpret blood test results, identify abnormalities, and monitor changes in a patient’s blood composition over time