Haematology

Question 1

What is a haematology test used for?

Answer 1

• Full blood count
• Platelet count
• Prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time and international normalised ratio

Question 2

What is the full blood count used for?

Answer 2

• Can help diagnose anaemia, certain cancers of the blood, inflammatory diseases
• To monitor blood loss and infection

Question 3

What is a platelet count used for?

Answer 3

• To diagnose and to monitor certain types of bleeding and blood clotting disorders

Question 4

What is theProthrombin time, partial thromboplastin time and international normalised ratio used for?

Answer 4

• To evaluate bleeding and clotting disorders
• To monitor anticoagulation (anticlotting) therapies

Question 5

How can a haematology test diagnose osteomyelitis?

Answer 5

• The blood test can’t determine whether you have osteomyelitis
• The blood test can discover whether the white blood cell count is raised which can indicate you are fighting an infection

Question 6

What is the method for carrying out a full blood count?

Answer 6

• The blood is collected from the body by inserting a needle into a vein
• The blood will then flow into the tube
• The blood sample is then sent off to a laboratory where the red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets are counted

Question 7

What are the limitations for haematology?

Answer 7

• There is an increased risk of infection
• There is an increased risk of transmitting blood borne illnesses
• Blood tests can be painful
• if the blood sample is exposed to extreme temperature then the results could be affected