Hematology

Question 1

Complete Blood Count (CBC) Normal Lab Values - WBC

Answer 1

WBC: 4,500 - 13,500/mm³

Question 2

Complete Blood Count (CBC) Normal Lab Values - RBC

Answer 2

RBC: 4.1 - 5.3 million/μL

Question 3

Complete Blood Count (CBC) Normal Lab Values - Hemoglobin

Answer 3

Hemoglobin (Hgb): 11.5 - 15.5 g/dL

Question 4

Complete Blood Count (CBC) Normal Lab Values - Hematocrit

Answer 4

Hematocrit (Hct): 35% - 45%

Question 5

Complete Blood Count (CBC) Normal Lab Values - Platelets

Answer 5

Platelets: 150,000 - 450,000/mm³

Question 6

Complete Blood Count (CBC) Normal Lab Values - MCV

Answer 6

MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume): 80-100 fL

Question 7

Complete Blood Count (CBC) Normal Lab Values - MCH

Answer 7

MCH (Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin): 27-33 pg

Question 8

Complete Blood Count (CBC) Normal Lab Values - Reticulocyte Count

Answer 8

Reticulocyte Count: 0.5% - 1.5% (higher if bone marrow is compensating)

Question 9

Anemia Definition

Answer 9

Anemia = Low RBC count, Hgb, or Hct.

Question 10

Three Types of Anemia

Answer 10

Microcytic (MCV <80 fL) → Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA), Thalassemia

Normocytic (MCV 80-100 fL) → Acute blood loss, Chronic disease, Hemolytic anemia

Macrocytic (MCV >100 fL) → B12/Folate deficiency, Bone marrow failure

Question 11

Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) - Causes

Answer 11

• Inadequate dietary iron (common in toddlers, adolescents
  menstruating females)
• Chronic blood loss (GI bleeding, heavy menstruation)
• Malabsorption disorders

Question 12

Anemia Symptoms - Early

Answer 12

Fatigue, pallor, irritability, weakness

Question 13

Anemia Symptoms Late

Answer 13

Glossitis, spoon-shaped nails (koilonychia), pica (craving for ice/dirt)

Question 14

Anemia Labs

Answer 14

↓MCV,
↓MCH,
↓Hgb,
↓Ferritin,
↑TIBC

Question 15

Anemia Treatment

Answer 15

• Iron supplementation (take with vitamin C, avoid dairy)
• Increase dietary iron (red meat, leafy greens)
• Monitor response via reticulocyte count (~1-2 weeks)
• don’t take with milk
• take with ascorbic acid

Question 16

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) - Genetics

Answer 16

Autosomal recessive disorder (child must inherit two sickle genes) African or Mediterranean descent typically

Question 17

Sickle Cell Disease - Pathophysiology

Answer 17

Abnormal hemoglobin (HbS) → RBC sickling → vascular occlusion, ischemia, and hemolysis.
Cells lose circle shape to sickle shape = stiff, sticky, desreases lifespan from 120 days to 10 to 20 days

Question 18

Sickle Cell Disease - Complications

Answer 18

Stroke, infections, organ damage (spleen, kidneys, lungs), avascular necrosis.

Question 19

Sickle Cell Disease - Triggers for Crisis

Answer 19

Dehydration, hypoxia, infection, cold exposure, stress.

Question 20

Vaso-Occlusive Crisis (VOC) - Cause

Answer 20

Sickled cells block blood flow → pain, ischemia.

Question 21

Vaso-Occlusive Crisis - Symptoms

Answer 21

Severe pain (joints, chest, abdomen), swelling, fever.

Question 22

Vaso-Occlusive Crisis - Treatment

Answer 22

• Hydration (IV fluids)
• Pain control (PCA pump, opioids)
• Oxygen if hypoxic
• Blood transfusion if severe
• Avoid triggers (hydration, avoiding extreme temperatures)

Question 23

Acute Chest Syndrome (ACS) Cause

Answer 23

Sickling in lung vasculature → infarction/infection.

Question 24

Acute Chest Syndrome - Symptoms

Answer 24

Fever, cough, chest pain, hypoxia, respiratory distress.

Question 25

Acute Chest Syndrome - Treatment

Answer 25

- Oxygen - IV fluids - Broad-spectrum antibiotics - Blood transfusion in severe cases - Bronchodilators if wheezing

Question 26

Emergencies in SCD

Answer 26

* Fever ≥101°F → Immediate ER visit (risk of sepsis) * Stroke → Sudden weakness, slurred speech → Needs exchange transfusion * Splenic Sequestration → Rapid drop in Hgb, shock symptoms

Question 27

Common Medications for SCD

Answer 27

* Hydroxyurea (increases fetal hemoglobin, reduces crises) * Prophylactic Penicillin (to prevent infections) * Folic Acid (to support RBC production) * Pain Medications (NSAIDs, opioids during VOC)

Question 28

Hemophilia Cause

Answer 28

X-linked recessive disorder (affects males, carrier females)

Question 29

Hemophilia Types

Answer 29

Hemophilia A: Factor VIII deficiency (most common) Hemophilia B: Factor IX deficiency

Question 30

Hemophilia Symptoms

Answer 30

Easy bruising, hemarthrosis (joint bleeding), prolonged bleeding.

Question 31

Hemophilia Diagnosis

Answer 31

Prolonged PTT, normal PT, normal platelets.

Question 32

Hemophilia Treatment

Answer 32

- Factor replacement therapy - Desmopressin (DDAVP) for mild Hemophilia A - Avoid NSAIDs/aspirin - RICE for joint bleeds

Question 33

5 types of white blood cells

Answer 33

Neutrophiles (phagocytosis) Eosinophils (Allergic) Basophils (inflammation) Monocytes (antigen/phagocytosis) LymphNeutrophilsoncytes (BT cells Humoral and cellular)

Question 34

Anemia Causes

Answer 34

Decreased production - marrow issues Poor nutrition ineffective erythropoiesis blood loss

Question 35

Sickle Cell Crisis

Answer 35

Vaso occlusive, splenic, acute