Hematology

Question 1

What is the composition of blood?

Answer 1

Blood is composed of formed elements and plasma, with approximate percentages:
* Red Blood Cells (RBCs): ~45%
* Plasma: ~55%
* White Blood Cells (WBCs) & Platelets: ~1%

Question 2

What are the main components of plasma?

Answer 2

Plasma is composed of:
* Water: ~92%
* Proteins: ~7%
* Albumin: ~60% of plasma proteins
* Globulins
* Fibrinogen
* Other Components: ~1%

Question 3

What is hematopoiesis?

Answer 3

Hematopoiesis is the process of blood cell formation in the bone marrow.

Question 4

What are myeloid stem cells responsible for?

Answer 4

Myeloid stem cells give rise to:
* Erythrocytes (RBCs)
* Leukocytes (WBCs)
* Platelets

Question 5

What are lymphoid stem cells responsible for?

Answer 5

Lymphoid stem cells give rise to:
* T Lymphocytes
* B Lymphocytes
* Natural Killers (NK cells)

Question 6

What are histiocytes?

Answer 6

Histiocytes are immune cells originating from monocytes, working within tissues to defend the body.

Question 7

What is the average lifespan of red blood cells (RBCs)?

Answer 7

The average lifespan of RBCs is 120 days.

Question 8

What do neutrophils do?

Answer 8

Neutrophils fight bacterial infections via phagocytosis.

Question 9

What is thrombopoietin?

Answer 9

Thrombopoietin is a hormone that regulates platelet production in the marrow.

Question 10

What are the causes of anemia?

Answer 10

Causes of anemia include:
* Severe blood loss
* Inadequate RBC production
* Increased RBC destruction
* Deficiency of necessary components

Question 11

What characterizes Sickle Cell Disease?

Answer 11

Sickle Cell Disease is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by the HbS gene, leading to abnormal hemoglobin and sickle-shaped RBCs.

Question 12

What are the types of Sickle Cell Crisis?

Answer 12

Types of Sickle Cell Crisis include:
* Acute Vaso-Occlusive Crisis
* Aplastic Crisis
* Sequestration Crisis

Question 13

What are common symptoms of febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reactions?

Answer 13

Symptoms include fever, chills, and headache.

Question 14

What is thrombocytopenia?

Answer 14

Thrombocytopenia is a low platelet count caused by decreased production, increased destruction, or increased consumption of platelets.

Question 15

What is disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)?

Answer 15

DIC is a life-threatening condition where clotting and anti-clotting occur simultaneously, indicating an underlying disorder.

Question 16

What is hemophilia?

Answer 16

Hemophilia is an inherited bleeding disorder due to a deficiency in either factor VIII or factor IX.

Question 17

What is neutropenia?

Answer 17

Neutropenia is a decrease in neutrophils (less than 2000/mm³), increasing the risk for infection.

Question 18

What are the types of leukemia?

Answer 18

Types of leukemia include:
* Acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
* Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)
* Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)
* Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)

Question 19

What is the most common manifestation of acute myeloid leukemia (AML)?

Answer 19

Manifestations include fever, infection, weakness, fatigue, and bleeding tendencies.

Question 20

What is the average lifespan of platelets?

Answer 20

The average lifespan of platelets is 10 days.

Question 21

What is the role of albumin in plasma?

Answer 21

Albumin maintains osmotic pressure and transports molecules.

Question 22

Fill in the blank: The average lifespan of a platelet is ______.

Answer 22

10 days

Question 23

True or False: Erythropoiesis is the process of making white blood cells.

Answer 23

False

Question 24

What is the primary function of lymphocytes?

Answer 24

Lymphocytes are an integral component of the immune system.

Question 25

What is Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)?

Answer 25

A type of blood cancer characterized by the rapid growth of abnormal myeloid cells.

Question 26

What are the common symptoms of AML?

Answer 26

* Fatigue * Weakness * Fever * Weight loss * Night sweats * Bone pain

Question 27

What is the treatment for Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)?

Answer 27

* Aggressive chemotherapy—induction therapy * Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation * Supportive care * Antimicrobial therapy and transfusions

Question 28

What happens if Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is untreated?

Answer 28

Death occurs within months.

Question 29

What is Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML)?

Answer 29

A blood cancer caused by a mutation in the myeloid stem cell, leading to uncontrolled production of immature white blood cells.

Question 30

What are the clinical phases of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML)?

Answer 30

* Chronic Phase * Accelerated Phase * Blast Crisis

Question 31

What are the symptoms during the Blast Crisis of CML?

Answer 31

* Very high WBCs * Dyspnea * Confusion * Fever * Bone pain * Weight loss

Question 32

How does Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) differ from other leukemias?

Answer 32

It involves uncontrolled growth of immature cells from lymphoid stem cells and is most common in young children.

Question 33

What is the peak age for Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL)?

Answer 33

4 years old.

Question 34

What are the common manifestations of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL)?

Answer 34

* Pain from enlarged liver/spleen * Bone pain * CNS symptoms * Headache * Vomiting

Question 35

What is the treatment for Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL)?

Answer 35

* Chemotherapy * Monoclonal antibody therapy * Corticosteroids

Question 36

What characterizes Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)?

Answer 36

It is the most prevalent type of adult leukemia, derived from a malignant clone of B lymphocytes.

Question 37

What are the manifestations of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)?

Answer 37

* Fevers * Night sweats * Unintentional weight loss

Question 38

What is the treatment approach for early-stage Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)?

Answer 38

Early-stage 'watch and wait' strategy.

Question 39

What are Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)?

Answer 39

Disorders of the myeloid stem cell that may be asymptomatic or present with fatigue or illness.

Question 40

What is the only cure for Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)?

Answer 40

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

Question 41

What are common assessments for leukemia patients?

Answer 41

* Health history * Symptoms (anemia, infection, bleeding, weakness, fatigue) * I&O's * Daily weights * Labs (Leukocyte count, ANC, Hematocrit, Platelets, Creatinine, Electrolytes, Coagulation tests, Hepatic function tests, Cultures)

Question 42

What are common complications of leukemia?

Answer 42

* Infection * Bleeding (DIC) * Renal dysfunction * Tumor lysis syndrome

Question 43

What is lymphopenia?

Answer 43

A condition where the lymphocyte count is less than 1500/mm³.

Question 44

What are some causes of lymphopenia?

Answer 44

* Exposure to radiation * Long-term use of corticosteroids * Infections * Neoplasms * Alcohol abuse

Question 45

What is Hodgkin Disease?

Answer 45

A relatively rare malignancy with a high cure rate, suspected viral etiology, and characterized by Reed-Sternberg cells.

Question 46

What are the manifestations of Hodgkin Disease?

Answer 46

* Painless lymph node enlargement * Pruritus * B symptoms (fever, sweats, weight loss)

Question 47

What is the incidence age for Hodgkin Disease?

Answer 47

Early 20s and again after the age of 50 years.

Question 48

What characterizes Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL)?

Answer 48

It encompasses a diverse group of blood cancers that do not have Reed-Sternberg cells.

Question 49

What is Multiple Myeloma?

Answer 49

A malignant disease of the most mature form of B lymphocyte—the plasma cell.

Question 50

What are the common manifestations of Multiple Myeloma?

Answer 50

* Bone pain (80%) * Osteoporosis and fractures * Hypercalcemia * Renal impairment and failure * Anemia

Question 51

What are the treatment options for Multiple Myeloma?

Answer 51

* HSCT * Chemotherapy * Corticosteroids * Radiation therapy * Immunomodulatory drugs, thalidomide analogs, monoclonal antibody