What is thrombocytopenia?
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A condition characterized by low platelet (thrombocyte) count.
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What is thrombocytopenia?
A condition characterized by low platelet (thrombocyte) count.
What are common signs and symptoms (S&S) of bleeding in thrombocytopenia?
Easy bruising, prolonged bleeding from cuts, and petechiae.
What is Hemophilia?
A genetic disorder that impairs the body's ability to make blood clots.
What is von Willebrand disease (vWD)?
A bleeding disorder caused by a deficiency of von Willebrand factor.
What liver condition can lead to clotting deficiencies?
Cirrhosis.
What specific lab tests are used to diagnose clotting deficiencies?
Tests for platelet count and clotting factors.
What is von Willebrand Disease (vWD)?
An inherited disorder and the most common clotting disease, affecting 1 in 100 people.
What are specific causes of thrombocytopenia?
Bone marrow disorders, autoimmune diseases, and certain medications.
What are common symptoms of vWD?
Mild clotting deficiency with incidences of 'easy bleeding' and heavy periods in some women.
What are the common signs and symptoms of bleeding deficiencies?
They relate to 'easy bleeding,' which can be frank or occult.
What is the treatment for Hemophilia?
Replacement therapy with clotting factor concentrates.
What are the general signs and symptoms (S&S) of anemia?
Related to hypoxemia, including shortness of breath (SOB), weakness, fatigue, CNS effects like dizziness, and pallor of the skin.
What is the typical treatment for vWD?
Usually none needed or symptomatic; severe forms may require transfusions of von Willebrand factor (vWF).
What is a common symptom of liver disease related to clotting?
Increased bleeding tendency.
What is frank bleeding?
Obvious or easily visible bleeding, such as petechiae, purpura, and ecchymosis.
What causes tissue hypoxia in anemic patients?
Reduced blood oxygen (hypoxemia) due to fewer or deranged RBCs or hemoglobin.
How does liver disease affect clotting?
It decreases the ability to clot due to reduced synthesis of coagulation factors.
What are petechiae?
Pinpoint red spots that don’t blanche.
What hormone is given to stimulate bone marrow to produce more RBCs in chronic disease?
Erythropoietin.
What is multiple myeloma?
A type of cancer that is mostly idiopathic but may have a genetic component.
How is anemia diagnosed and classified?
Through a blood test called a CBC (complete blood count) that assesses RBC count and mean corpuscular volume (MCV).
What is thrombocytosis?
A condition with a platelet count greater than 400,000, which can lead to hypercoagulation.
What is purpura?
Larger areas that look purplish due to bleeding under the skin.
What characterizes macrocytic anemia in terms of RBC size?
The size (MCV) is larger than normal, with MCV > 95.
Which cells are predominantly involved in multiple myeloma?
B-lymphocytes, specifically plasma cells.
What is the normal RBC count range for males?
4 to 6 million/L; anemia is indicated when the count is <4 million.
What is a thrombus?
An arterial or venous clot attached to a vessel wall.
What is ecchymosis?
A general term for a collection of blood under the skin greater than ~1 cm.
What is a common example of macrocytic anemia?
Pernicious anemia.
What do normal plasma cells do?
They selectively produce immunoglobulins on an as-needed basis.
What is leukemia?
A type of cancer of the hematopoietic system characterized by uncontrolled proliferation of leukocytes, leading to overcrowding of bone marrow and decreased production of normal hematopoietic cells.
What does MCV indicate in the classification of anemia?
MCV indicates the size of each RBC; it helps classify anemia as microcytic (<80), normocytic (80-95), or macrocytic (>95).
What is an embolus?
A thrombus that has broken loose and travels in the circulatory system.
What is occult bleeding?
Hidden bleeding, such as in the GI tract, where stools may appear normal but contain blood.
What is intrinsic factor and its role in macrocytic anemia?
A hormone made by parietal cells in the stomach that is necessary for vitamin B12 absorption.
What is microcytic anemia?
Anemia in which the size (MCV) is smaller than normal, with RBCs <4 million and MCV <80.
What happens to plasma cells in multiple myeloma?
Some plasma cells become malignant and begin overproducing immunoglobulins.
What are common signs and symptoms of leukemia?
Leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia (easy bleeding and bruising), anemia (fatigue, shortness of breath), and increased susceptibility to infections.
What is another term for 'Too Few' in the context of blood cells?
Anemia.
What are the normal ranges for hemoglobin (Hgb) and hematocrit (Hct)?
Normal Hgb is 14-18 gm/L and normal Hct is 42-52%; values below these may indicate anemia.
What is splenomegaly?
Enlargement of the spleen.
What are common symptoms of macrocytic anemia?
RBC count < 4 million, fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, and dull mentation.
What is thrombocytopenia?
A deficiency in the number of platelets (thrombocytes).
What causes microcytic anemia?
Chronic loss of RBCs leading to insufficient material for full-sized replacement RBCs, resulting in smaller, less mature RBCs.
What are the two types of alterations in erythrocyte function?
Quantitative (alterations in numbers) and qualitative (defect in quality of function).
Where do the overproduced immunoglobulins infiltrate in multiple myeloma?
Mainly in bones, causing multiple malignant tumors.
What is another term for 'Too Many' in the context of blood cells?
Polycythemia.
What characterizes polycythemia in a CBC?
RBC count >6 million and hematocrit >52%.
How is leukemia classified?
According to the predominant cell type (myeloid vs lymphoid) and the onset (acute or chronic).
What can cause splenomegaly?
Causes include hematologic issues, infections, malignancies, or physiologic factors.
What specific symptom is associated with macrocytic anemia?
Glossitis, characterized by a swollen, beefy red, smooth, painful tongue.
What are common causes of chronic RBC loss in microcytic anemia?
Heavy menses and occult (hidden) GI bleeding.
What are some causes of thrombocytopenia?
Congenital problems, nutritional deficiencies, certain drugs, chronic diseases, and autoimmune issues.
What is the effect of multiple myeloma on osteoclast activity?
Osteoclasts go into overdrive, leading to increased bone resorption.
What is anemia?
A condition characterized by less than normal number of circulating erythrocytes and/or a decrease in the quality or quantity of hemoglobin.
What are the RBC characteristics of Microcytic anemia?
RBCs: Low, MCV: Low.
What are the potential complications of polycythemia?
Increased risk for distal tissue ischemia, blood clots, and extra workload on the heart and lungs.
How does increased hemolysis affect the spleen?
It can cause the spleen to enlarge due to processing more RBC debris.
What characterizes acute leukemias?
Abrupt onset and increased immature WBC cells.
What treatment is typically used for macrocytic anemia?
Vitamin B12 injections.
Why is microcytic anemia sometimes called iron deficiency anemia?
Because iron is essential for hemoglobin, which is lost with the RBCs.
What is hemophilia?
A hereditary deficiency of coagulation factors, usually X-linked recessive.
What is the treatment for Polycythemia vera?
Phlebotomy and/or medication.
What condition results from the increased osteoclastic activity in multiple myeloma?
Osteoporosis and pathological fractures.
What are the general causes of alterations in erythrocyte function?
Genetic abnormalities (qualitative) and pathologically decreased or increased numbers of RBCs (quantitative).
What symptoms can arise from the 'thickness' of blood in polycythemia?
Ischemic pain, formation of blood clots, and heart and lung failure-related issues.
What role does the spleen play in the mononuclear phagocytic system?
It phagocytizes old, damaged, or dead blood cells and filters microorganisms from the blood.
What are the two types of acute leukemia mentioned?
Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and acute myelogenous leukemia (AML).
How do you identify anemia using a CBC?
If the number of RBCs is < 4 million.
What are the signs and symptoms of microcytic anemia?
RBC <4 million, fatigue, weakness, sometimes SOB, dull mentation, low MCV, and low Hgb.
What are the treatment options for hemophilia?
Transfuse plasma or concentrates of the deficient clotting factor.
What are the causes of Polycythemia vera?
Genetic mutations, chronic hypoxia.
What is the difference between primary and secondary polycythemia?
Primary polycythemia (polycythemia vera) is due to hyper-proliferation of bone marrow stem cells, while secondary polycythemia is a compensatory increase in RBCs due to hypoxic conditions.
What distinguishes chronic leukemias?
The predominant cell is mature but does not function correctly.
What is hypercalcemia and its symptoms in multiple myeloma?
A pathologically high amount of calcium in the blood, causing confusion, lethargy, weakness, kidney stones, and kidney failure.
What indicates polycythemia on a CBC?
If the number of RBCs is > 6 million and hematocrit is > 52%.
What is the treatment for microcytic anemia?
Stop blood loss if possible and give iron supplements.
What is a common sign of splenomegaly?
A palpably large spleen.
What is von Willebrand disease (vWD)?
A disorder involving the von Willebrand Factor (vWF), which promotes clotting by binding platelets and fibrinogen.
What are the signs and symptoms (S&S) of Polycythemia vera?
Headaches, dizziness, and increased blood viscosity.
What can cause a decrease in erythropoiesis leading to anemia?
Bone marrow dysfunction, leukemias, or hypersplenism.
What is thrombocytopenia and its effect in leukemia?
A condition of low platelet count leading to easy bleeding and bruising.
What are the treatment options for multiple myeloma?
Chemotherapy, radiation, and bone marrow transplantation.
What is normocytic anemia?
Anemia where the size of the RBC is normal, with RBCs <4 million and normal MCV.
What condition results from splenomegaly?
Hypersplenism.
What are the RBC characteristics of Normocytic anemia?
RBCs: Normal, MCV: Normal.
How are anemias classified?
According to changes in shape, substance, or size of RBCs.
What is the impact of leukemia on the immune system?
Impaired WBC immunocyte function increases the ease of infection.
What happens to blood cells in hypersplenism?
RBCs, WBCs, and platelets become trapped and destroyed.
What is the lab data for Secondary Polycythemia?
RBCs: Elevated, Hematocrit: Increased percentage.
What are the two possible causes of normocytic anemia?
Rapid blood loss (e.g., traumatic hemorrhage) or chronic disease causing slow RBC production.
What is the definition of polycythemia?
A disorder in which there are more than normal numbers of circulating RBCs.
What are the sequelae of hypersplenism?
Engorgement of the spleen and pancytopenia.
What are the signs and symptoms of normocytic anemia?
RBC <4 million, fatigue, weakness, sometimes SOB, dull mentation, and normal MCV.
What is sickle cell anemia an example of?
An anemia disorder caused by abnormalities in the shape of RBCs.
What are the causes of Secondary Polycythemia?
Chronic hypoxia, tumors producing erythropoietin.
What is the treatment for normocytic anemia due to acute blood loss?
Stop blood loss if possible and give units of blood as needed.
What are the signs and symptoms of pancytopenia?
Anemia, increased risk of infection, and easy bleeding.
What are the signs and symptoms (S&S) of Secondary Polycythemia?
Headaches, fatigue, and hypertension.
What triggers the compensatory increase in RBCs in secondary polycythemia?
Hypoxic conditions such as living at high altitudes or chronic low-oxygen conditions.
What percentage of women of childbearing age have iron deficiency anemia?
20%, compared to only 2% of adult men.
What are the RBC characteristics of Macrocytic anemia?
RBCs: High, MCV: High.
What is the role of leukocytes?
To fight infection.
What are the causes of Macrocytic anemia?
Vitamin B12 deficiency, folate deficiency.
What is the role of erythrocytes?
To carry oxygen.
What are the signs and symptoms (S&S) of Macrocytic anemia?
Fatigue, weakness, and pallor.
What is the role of thrombocytes?
To aid in clotting.
What does the suffix 'penia' indicate?
Too few blood cells.
What is the treatment for Macrocytic anemia?
Vitamin B12 or folate supplementation.
What does the suffix 'cytosis' indicate?
Too many blood cells.
What is the exception for the term 'anemia'?
It refers to too few RBCs.
What hematologic disorder is consistent with elevated serum calcium and reduced bone density?
Multiple Myeloma.
What is the pathophysiologic reason for reduced bone density in multiple myeloma?
Increased osteoclast activity leading to bone resorption.
What additional signs and symptoms may be related to elevated serum calcium levels?
Nausea, vomiting, constipation, and confusion.
