CBC 1

Question 1

CBC: stands for? generated when?

Answer 1

complete blood count, blood run through a coulter counter and generates a count of the number of cells in blood

Question 2

normal CBC derived from?

Answer 2

averaging cell counts measure in a normal healthy population +/- two standard deviations = around 5% of normal population will still lie outside standard reference range

Question 3

normal reference ranges: variation?

Answer 3

will vary by gender, age, ethnicity, gestational status. are also lab/instrument specific

Question 4

cytopenia: def? 4 subcategories?

Answer 4

low blood cell count. anemia = low hemoglobin. thrombocytopenia = low platelets. leukopenia = low white cells. neutropenia = low neutrophils.

Question 5

increased cell counts: 4 examples?

Answer 5

neutrophilia. erythrocytosis = increased RBC. polycythemia = increased hematocrit. thrombocytosis = increased platelets.

Question 6

CBCd?

Answer 6

complete blood count with differential (white cells are counted and categorized and quantified into their subtypes)

Question 7

most common way of quantifying RBCs?

Answer 7

hemoglobin aka Hb aka HGB. amount of Hb protein in g/L

Question 8

HCT

Answer 8

hematocrit: proportion of total that is occupied by RBCs. usually around 0.4 - 0.5

Question 9

MCV

Answer 9

mean cell volume = average RBC size in femtoliters = the most clinically important, helps us classify anemia

Question 10

MCHC

Answer 10

mean cell hemoglobin concentration; not commonly referred to

Question 11

RDW

Answer 11

red cell distribution width; variation in size of red cells

Question 12

anemia: definition? numbers for men/women?

Answer 12

low hemoglobin: men below 130g/L, women

Question 13

normal MCV

Answer 13

80 - 100 fL

Question 14

platelets: life span? purpose?

Answer 14

7-10 days. after blood vessel injury, they form a plug and coagulation factors are activated on their surface to form a fibrin net = blood clot

Question 15

5 types of WBCs seen under microscope

Answer 15

neutrophils. lymphocytes. monocytes. eosinophils. basophils.

Question 16

abnormal WBCs

Answer 16

blasts, myeloids. abnormal, reactive or variant lymphocytes which can be benign or malignant.

Question 17

neonate: difference in CBC?

Answer 17

very high Hb levels, high MCV at birth –> falls of quickly after first few days of life

Question 18

1 year old: difference vs. adult CBC?

Answer 18

relatively lower Hbs and lower MCVs

Question 19

children less than 5 years of age vs. adult CBCs?

Answer 19

higher overall WBC, more lymphocytes than neutrophils (reverse of adults)