| Thrombocytopenia refers to: | A decreased number of platelets |
| Define homozygous: | Having two identical genes inherited from each parent for a given hereditary characteristic |
| Define erythrocytosis: | Overproduction of circulating erythrocytes |
| When the WBC count is extremely low, the patient suffers from: | Leukopenia; (less than 5000 cells/mm3) |
| What kind of hygiene is crucial in someone with agranulocytosis? | Meticulous and frequent oral hygiene to treat or prevent mouth and pharyngeal infection |
| List the 4 common types of leukemia: | 1. Acute Lymphocytic leukemia
2. Acute myeloid leukemia
3. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
4. Chronic myeloid leukemia |
| What is the first step in the clotting mechanism? | Production of a hemostatic plug, followed by clotting |
| What does the hematocrit lab value measure? | The volume percentage of red blood cells in the whole blood |
| How do leukocytes (WBC's) differ from erythrocytes (RBC's)? | WBC's have nuclei, are colorless, and can live a few days to several years |
| What are the 3 types of granular WBC's? | Neutrophils, Eosinophils, and Basophils |
| What are the 2 types of agranular WBC's? | Leukocytes and monocytes |
| What does the term phagocytosis refer to? | The process by which bacteria, cellular debris, and solid particles are destroyed and removed |
| What are the primary phagocytic cells involved in acute inflammatory response? | Neutrophils |
| What is the most reliable indicator of the body's level of infection? | Differential WBC count |
| What are immature neutrophils called? | Bands |
| What are mature neutrophils called? | Segs; nucleus is segmented into 2-5 lobes connected by strands |
| An increased number of bands (bandemia) signifies: | Serious bacterial infection |
| Excess bands in the peripheral blood stream was commonly known as: | "A shift to the left" |
| Which type of WBC is effective against certain parasitic worms? | Eosinophil |
| Which type of WBC releases histamine during tissue damage or invasion? | Basophil |
| What are the normal values for eosinophils? | 1%-4% |
| The normal value for basophils are: | 0.5%-1% |
| What is the second type of WBC to arrive at the scene of an injury? | Monocytes |
| Name the 2 groups of lymphocytes: | 1. T cells
2. B cells |
| Which cells set up the antigen-antibody process, which protect the body? | T cells and B cells |
| What are the normal values of lymphocytes? | 20%-40% |
| The body stores a 6 day supply of which type of WBC? | Neutrophils |
| A patient containing which type of blood is known as the "universal recipient"? | AB |
| Which 2 reactions can occur between donor and recipient blood? | Agglutination and Hemolysis |
| What occurs in agglutination? | Donor cells clump together because of the antibodies, occluding arteries. Can result in death. |
| When antibodies cause RBC's of donor recipient blood to rupture and release their contents, this is known as: | Hemolysis; can lead to death |
| How do Rh antigens develop? | As an immune response after transfusion or during pregnancy |
| What does lymphatic fluid consist of? | Protein, water, fats, and waste |
| How many lymph nodes does the body contain? | 500-600 |
| The blood produces which 3 critical functions? | 1. Transports oxygen & nutrition to cells, and waste away from cells, & hormones from endocrine glands to tissues and cells
2. Regulates acid-base balance, regulates body temperature, controls water content of cells
3. Protects body against infection & prevents blood loss |
| What is the normal lifespan of an RBC? | 120 days |
| What happens when the amount of oxygen delivered to the tissues by RBC's decreases? | The kidney releases a hormone: renal erythropoietic (erythropoietin) |
| What is erythropoiesis? | The process of RBC production |
| Which lab values often test high if the patient is dehydrated? | Hemoglobin and hematocrit |
| What are the normal WBC levels? | 5,000 to 10,000/mm of blood |
| What are the two broad categories of WBC? | Granual and agranular |
| List the 3 types of granular WBC's: | Neutrophils, Eosinophils, Basophils |
| List the agranular WBC's: | Lymphocytes and Monocytes |
| What are the smallest cells in the blood? | Thrombocytes (platelets) |
| What is the lifespan of a thrombocyte? | 5-9 days |
| Which 3 actions take place in hemostasis? | 1. Vessel spasm
2. Platelet plug formation
3. Clot formation |
| 3 basic functions of the Lymphatic system: | 1. Maintenance of fluid balance
2. Production of lymphocytes
3. Absorption and transportation of lipids from the intestine to the bloodstream |
| Which 2 infections are associated with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma? | Epstein-Barr and human T cell leukemia/lymphoma |
| People in farming communities have a higher chance of developing: | Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma; due to pesticide exposure |
| What type of cell is found in Hodgkin's Lymphoma? | Reed-Sternberg |
| What is the main diagnostic feature of Hodgkin's Lymphoma? | Reed-Sternberg cells in lymph node biopsy specimens |
| Which organs are mainly affected in Hodgkin's Lymphoma? | Lungs, Spleen, and Liver |
| What usually causes Lymphangitis? | Acute streprococcal or staphylcoccal infection in an extremity |
| Describe the appearance of the skin in Lymphangitis? | Fine red streaks in the infected area; groin or axilla |
| Which drugs are prescribed to a patient with Lymphangitis? | Antimicrobial and antiinflammatory |
| Multiple Myeloma commonly occurs in ages: | Older than 40, with peak incidence around 65 |
| Multiple Myeloma can go undetected, with the patient experiencing: | Frequent recurrent bacterial infections |
| An older patient complaining of back pain and has an elevated level of total serum protein should be evaluated for what? | Multiple Myeloma |
| Which disorder is characterized by the accumulation of lymph in soft tissue and edema? | Lymphedema |
| What is a malignant neoplastic disease of the bone marrow? | Multiple Myeloma |
| Which disease is a result of the overstimulation of clotting and anticlotting in response to disease or injury? | Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) |
| One of the more common causes of Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) is: | Abruptio planentae (premature separation of placenta from the uterus) |
| Define von Willenbrand's Disease | Inherited bleeding disorder characterized by abnormally slow coagulation of blood and spontaneous episodes of GI bleeding, epistaxis, gingival bleeding |
| Which protein is critical for platelet adhesion? | von Willenbrand factor (vWF) |
| Which blood clotting factor is missing in hemophilia A? | VIII |
| Which blood clotting factor is missing in hemophilia B? | IX |
| Hemophilia B is also known as: | Christmas Disease |
| What is hemophilia? | A hereditary coagulation disorder characterized by the absence of certain blood clotting factors |
| What is hemarthrosis? | Bleeding into a joint space |
| What is the abnormal lab value in hemophilia? | Prolonged partial thromboplastin time |
| In thrombocytopenia, platelets are reduced to fewer than: | 150,000/mm3 |
| What is the most common type of thrombocytopenia? | Thrombocytopenic purpura; can be drug-induced or immune-mediated |
| What is a potentially fatal condition of blood characterized by a severe reduction in the number of granulocytes? | Agranulocytosis |
| What is the PRIMARY cause of agranulocytosis? | Adverse medication reaction or toxicity |
| What is the normal neutrophil value? | 3,000-7,000/mm3 |
| What is hyerplasia? | Overgrowth |
| Polycythemia vera is commonly diagnosed at which age? | Average age of 60 |
| Hypoxemia stimulates the production of: | Erythropoietin in the kidneys, which in turn stimulates erythrocyte production in bone marrow |
| Polycythemia vera increases the risk of blood clots in: | The deep veins of the arms, legs, lungs, heart, and brain |
| How is blood viscosity decreased? | Phlebotomy; the removal of 500-2000mL of blood until HCT level is maintained at 45%-48% |
| How might secondary polycythemia be prevented? | By maintaining adequate oxygenation |
| How often may phlebotomy be needed in a patient with polycythemia? | Every 2-3 months; removing 500mL at a time |
| What is the most common genetic disorder in the United States? | Sickle Cell Anemia |
| What is a sickle cell? | An abnormal, crescent-shaped RBC containing Hgb S (defective Hgb molecule) |
| An acute sickling of RBC's which causes occlusion and ischemia is called a: | Sickle cell crisis |
| Who does sickle cell anemia predominately affect? | African or Eastern Mediterranean heritage |
| How many black/African American babies are born with the sickle cell trait? | 1 in every 13 |
| What is iron deficiency anemia? | A condition in which RBC contain less Hgb than normal |
| What can occur when the body's demand for iron exceeds its absorption? | Iron deficiency anemia |
| How much iron ingested is absorbed in the duodenum? | 1mg of every 10 to 20 mg (5%-10%) |
| What occurs when the bone marrow does not produce enough RBC's for the body to function properly? | Aplastic anemia |
| How many people does aplastic anemia affect? | 4 of every 1 million people |
| What will a CBC look like in a person with aplastic anemia? | All values will be low |
| Why should blood transfusions be avoided in a person with aplastic anemia? | To prevent iron overloading and the development of antibodies to tissue antigens |
| What results from the body's inability to absorb vitamin B12? | Pernicious anemia |
| What is needed to absorb vitamin B12 in the small intestine? | Intrinsic factor |
| What is the appearance of the tongue in a person with pernicious anemia? | Smooth, thick, red |
| Without vitamin B12 replacement, the patient with pernicious anemia can die within: | 1 to 3 years |
| What is the average adult's blood volume? | 5 to 6 L |
| What does an RBC (erythrocyte) look like? | a biconcave disk with no nucleus |
