Physio-OSPE Blood Flashcards

Flashcards for blood analysis and interpretation.

WHITE BLOOD CELL COUNT (WBCC)

Measures the concentration of white blood cells (WBCs) in the blood, essential for diagnosing infections, inflammation, immune disorders, and hematologic malignancies.

Leukocytosis

Indicates an elevated white blood cell count, possibly due to stress, exercise, bacterial infections, or leukemia.

Leucopenia

Indicates a lower than normal white blood cell count, often caused by viral infections or chemotherapy.

HEMOSTASIS

Evaluates the body’s ability to form and regulate clots, crucial for preventing excessive bleeding (hemostasis) while avoiding thrombosis.

Prolonged bleeding time

May indicate platelet dysfunction (thrombocytopathy) or vascular wall abnormalities

Thrombocytosis

Indicates bone marrow disorders like myeloproliferative diseases.

Thrombocytopenia

Often result from immune destruction or bone marrow suppression.

HEMOGLOBIN DETERMINATION

Measures hemoglobin concentration, the protein responsible for oxygen transport in red blood cells (RBCs).

Low Hemoglobin

Indicates anemia, which may result from iron deficiency (microcytic anemia) or chronic disease

High Hemoglobin

Occurs in polycythemia or dehydration, reducing plasma volume and concentrating RBCs

ERYTHROCYTE SEDIMENTATION RATE (ESR)

Indicates inflammation; fibrinogen and other acute-phase proteins promote RBC stacking (rouleaux), increasing sedimentation rate

Hematocrit (PCV)

Represents the percentage of RBCs in blood

MCV

Reflects RBC size (low = microcytic anemia, high = macrocytic anemia)

MCH

Average hemoglobin per RBC

MCHC

Hemoglobin concentration per RBC volume. Low in hypochromic anemia (e.g., iron deficiency)

RED BLOOD CELL COUNT (RBC)

Assesses the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood

High RBC count

May be due to chronic hypoxia (e.g., COPD) stimulating erythropoietin or bone marrow disorders

Low RBC count

Indicates anemia due to reduced production (bone marrow dysfunction) or increased loss (hemorrhage or hemolysis)

DIFFERENTIAL WBC COUNT (LEUKOCYTE FORMULA)

Determines the relative proportions of WBC subtypes, providing insight into specific immune or pathological conditions

Neutrophils

First responders in bacterial infections

Lymphocytes

Key in viral infections and adaptive immunity

Monocytes

Phagocytic cells, become macrophages in tissues

Eosinophils

Elevated in allergies and parasitic infections

Basophils

Release histamine in allergic reactions

Neutrophilia

Seen in bacterial infections and acute inflammation

Eosinophilia

Common in parasitic infections or asthma

Basophilia

Associated with chronic inflammation or myeloproliferative diseases

Lymphocytosis

Indicative of viral infections or certain leukemias

Monocytosis

Reflects chronic infections like tuberculosis