Week 11: Hematology Flashcards
Blood is a fluid composed of?
Plasma
RBC
WBC
Platelets
physical characteristics of blood
- Heavier, thicker, and 3-4 X more viscous than water
- 38o C (100.4oF)
- pH : 7.35 – 7.45
- 4-6 liters in an adult
- Varies with electrolyte concentration and amount of adipose tissue
plasma
- 92 % Water
- 8% Solutes – organic and inorganic
- Plasma proteins – largest proportion of solutes
- Albumins – 58 % of the proteins – maintain osmotic (oncotic) pressure – hold water in the blood
- Globulins – 38 % - antibodies synthesized by plasma cells
- Clotting factors – fibrinogen – 4 %
other components of plasma
- Nutrients
- Hormones
- Electrolytes
- Waste products
- Dissolved gases
Erythrocytes
red blood cells- RBC’s
Leukocytes
white blood cells – WBC’s
Thrombocytes
platelets – cell fragments
hemapoeisis (hematopoeisis)
- All blood cells common from a common stem cell – Hemocytoblast
- These are in the bone marrow (red) and develop into blood cells as needed by the body
- Mitosis is signaled by biochemicals released from the body →
- Stem cell is signaled to differentiate into the needed type of blood cell
- Hematopoiesis / cell breakdown continue through life.
erythrocytes (RBC’s)
*Most abundant blood cell type
*Transport gases
Shape is important
- Large surface to volume ratio
- Reversible deformability – can change shape
Development is called erythopoiesis
- Erythropoietin is a hormone produced by the kidneys in response to low blood oxygen levels; signals bone marrow to increase RBC production
*RBC’s travel through the body delivering oxygen and removing waste.
*RBC’s are red because they contain a protein chemical called hemoglobin which is bright red in color.
*Hemoglobin contains iron, making it an excellent vehicle for transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide.
*Average life cycle is 120 days.
*The bones are continually producing new cells.
Cytoplasm is mostly
- hemoglobin (lacks organelles)
- Made up of 4 peptide chains that form the globin portion and four molecules of the pigment heme which contains an atom of iron
- If there is a problem with any part of the molecule it may not be functional.
RBC breaksdown
- Healthy RBC’s live about 120 days; we break down about 174 million per minute
- RBC’s are removed from circulation by the liver and spleen
- Broken down into heme and globin portions
- Globin is broken down into amino acids
- Iron is removed from heme and stored or recycled
- Heme is broken down into biliverdin and then into bilirubin
white blood cells
- The battling blood cells.
- The white blood cells are continually on the look out for signs of disease.
- When a germ appears the WBC will:: Produce protective antibodies.Surround it and devour the bacteria.
- WBC life span is from a few days to a few weeks.
- WBC’s will increase when fighting infection.
Platelets
- Platelets are irregularly-shaped, colorless bodies that are present in blood.
- Their sticky surface lets them form clots to stop bleeding.
CBC with differential and platelet count.
- Hgb:
- Normal levels are 11 to 16 g / dl
- Panic levels are:
- Less than 5 g / dl
- More than 20 g / dl
Normal hematocrit levels
- 35 to 44%.
- Panic levels:
- Hmct less than 15 %
- Hmct greater than 60%
hemaglobin and hematocrit
- Can be used as a simple blood test to screen for anemia.
- The CBC with differential would be used to help diagnose a specific disorder.
- A bone marrow aspiration would be the most conclusive in determining cause of anemia – aplastic / leukemia.
bone marrow
- Bone marrow is the spongy substance found in the center of the bones.
- It manufactures bone marrow stem cells, which in turn produce blood cells.
- Red blood cells – carry oxygen to tissue
- Platelets – help blood to clot
- White blood cells – fight infection
Transfusion
- Packed red blood cells – anemia
- Platelets – platelet dysfunction
- Fresh frozen plasma – coagulation factors
hemolytic reaction
- Refers to an immune response against transfused blood cells.
- Antigens, on the surface of red blood cells, are recognized as “foreign proteins” and can stimulate B lymphocytes to produce antibodies to the red blood cell antigens.
-
Symptoms: Flank pain
Fever
Chills
Bloody urine
Rash
Low blood pressure
Dizziness / fainting
nursing management of hemolytic reaction
- Stop the blood transfusion.
- Start normal saline infusion. (with new tubing)
- Take vital signs with blood pressure
- Call the MD
- Obtain blood sample and urine specimen.
- Return blood to blood bank.
- Document
febrile reaction
- Often occurs after multiple blood transfusions.
- Symptoms:fever, chills, and diaphoresis.
- Interventions:
- Slow transfusion and administer antipyretic.
- Administer antipyretic prior to administration.
allergic reaction
- Symptoms: rash, urticaria, respiratory distress, or anaphylaxis.
- Interventions:administer antihistamine before transfusion. Physician may order washed rbc’s
- What should you do? Stop the infusion. Call provider and ask what they want you to do.
The following have a genetic link: implications for genetic screening and fetal diagnosis
- Sickle cell anemia
- Thalassemia
- Hemophilia
Three types Hemophilia
- males only
- Type A most common – factor VIII deficiency
- Type B - lack of factor IX (Christmas Disease) (2nd most common)
- Type C – lack of factor XI
- Von Willebrand Disease – 1% of population – men or women – prolonged bleeding time. Significant for women who go on birthcontrol. If they have this and go on bc they end up stroking.

