Hematology

Erythroblastosis fetalis concerns

Concern that the pregnant woman’s immune system will attack the child’s blood cells.

Blood type antigens

Type A has A antigens, Type B has B antigens, Type AB has both A and B antigens, Type O has no antigens.

Blood type antibodies

Type A has B antibodies, Type B has A antibodies, Type AB has no antibodies, Type O has both A and B antibodies.

Positive blood type

A blood type is positive if it has the Rh protein.

Hemophilia

The body cannot make clotting factors, leading to blood that cannot clot and stop bleeding.

Red blood cell characteristics

Microscopic, circular with a middle indentation, red due to a protein that carries oxygen.

Smallest components of blood

Platelets are also known as thrombocytes.

AB+ blood type

Can receive blood from any blood type.

O- blood type

Can only receive blood from other O- blood types.

Leukocyte classification

Classified as granulocytes or agranulocytes based on the presence or absence of granules in the cytoplasm.

Plasma water percentage

Plasma contains 91-92% water.

Sickle cell red blood cells

Sickle cell patients have crescent moon-shaped red blood cells that can block blood flow; more common in African, Hispanic, Indian, Middle Eastern, and East Asian cultures.

Oxygen-carrying component

Hemoglobin allows red blood cells to carry oxygen.

Erythrocyte shape

Biconcave, resembling a donut without a complete hole.

Clotting process component

Platelets and proteins in the blood work together to clot blood.

Low iron disorder

Iron deficiency anemia is associated with low iron levels.

Visible components after centrifugation

Platelets and white blood cells are very visible when blood is centrifuged.

Increased white blood cells

Indicates some sort of infection where white blood cells are needed to fight it.

Inflammation signs

Swelling, heat, pain, loss of function, and redness.

Phagocytosis

The ingestion of bacteria by phagocytes, important for clearing infection and activating host defense.