HEMATOLOGY Flashcards
hematology
the study of blood and includes the morphologic appearance of cells, function of blood, and diseases of blood and blood-forming tissues
plasma
a straw-colored liquid that makes up 55 percent of the total volume of blood; functions include transporting nutrients to the tissues of the body and picking up wastes from the tissues; composed of 91 percent water and 9 percent plasma proteins
erythrocytes (red blood cells)
transport oxygen from the lungs to the body tissues; bioconcave in shape and do not contain a nucleus
hemoglobin
an important component of red blood cells, which binds with and transports oxygen
leukocytes (white blood cells
clear, colorless cells that contain a nucleus; these cells help protect the body from infections by attempting to destroy invading pathogens and remove them from the body
platelets (thrombocytes)
clotting cells; are small, clear cells that lack a nucleus; formed in the red bone marrow from giant cells known as megakaryocytes
phlebotomy
venipuncture; requires insertion of a needle into a superficial vein to withdraw blood
capillary puncture
involves a puncture (prick) of the skin with a lancet, which causes the body to release a small amount of blood
evacuated tube method
allows for the collection of several samples from one venipuncture site using interchangeable vacuum collection tubes
order of draw
- Yellow
- Light Blue*
- Red
- Red/Grey (tiger)
- Green
- Lavendar/Purple/Pink
- Gray
*If a light blue tube is the first or only tube to be drawn, a 5-ml red stoppered tube should be drawn first and discarded to eliminate contamination
erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
measures the rate it takes red blood cells to settle to the bottom of a blood sample
hemoglobin (Hgb or Hb)
measures the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood
hematocrit (Hct)
to separate blood
cholesterol
a white, waxy, fat-like substance that is essential for normal functioning of the body
serology
defined as the scientific study of serum of the blood
