CBC Components and Hematology

Flashcards covering key concepts and details from hemolysis, hematopoiesis, and blood composition.

What is the normal range for WBC in terms of $10^9$ / L?

4.0–11.0 ×10⁹/L

What indicates a high WBC count?

A bacterial infection.

What is the lifespan of RBCs?

120 days.

What are the normal ranges for male and female RBC counts?

M: 4.7–6.1 ×10¹²/L, F: 4.2–5.4 ×10¹²/L.

What is the normal range for Hemoglobin (HGB) for males?

140–180 g/L.

What does a low HGB level indicate?

Anemia.

What is the male normal range for Hematocrit (HCT)?

0.42–0.52.

What does the Rule of 3 apply to?

RBC, HGB, and HCT.

What is the normal range for Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)?

80–100 fL.

What are the implications of low and high MCV levels?

Low = microcytic; High = macrocytic.

What formula is used to calculate MCV?

MCV = (HCT ÷ RBC) × 1000.

What does MCH stand for and how is it calculated?

Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin, calculated as HGB / RBC.

What does MCHC stand for?

Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration.

What are the implications of high MCHC levels?

High in spherocytosis.

What is the normal platelet (PLT) count range?

150–450 ×10⁹/L.

What condition is associated with low PLT count?

Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) or Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP).

What is RDW and its normal range?

Red Cell Distribution Width, 11.5–14.5%.

What does an increased RDW indicate?

Early indicator of anemia.

What is the normal range for Mean Platelet Volume (MPV)?

7–12 fL.

What does an increased MPV suggest?

Presence of large or giant platelets.

What characterizes neutrophils in a WBC differential?

40–70% of WBCs, first responders with a 3-lobed nucleus.

What is the normal percentage range for lymphocytes?

20–40%.

Which WBC is elevated during viral infections?

Lymphocytes.

What is the normal percentage range for monocytes?

2–8%.

What key feature identifies eosinophils?

Orange-red granules and bi-lobed nucleus.

What do basophils contain and what is their normal percentage range?

Histamine and heparin; 0.5–1%.

How do you calculate the absolute count of WBC subtypes?

WBC count × % cell type.

Describe the morphology of erythrocytes (RBCs).

Biconcave disc, 7–8 µm, with a central pallor.

What is the size of platelets?

1–4 µm in diameter.

What characterizes segmented neutrophils?

They have 3 lobes and pink cytoplasm.

What is the appearance of a well-prepared blood smear?

Feathered edge and smooth gradient.

What can cause poor blood smear preparation?

Dirty slide, wrong angle, too slow/fast spreading.

What does the Wright-Giemsa stain do?

Eosin stains cytoplasm pink; methylene blue stains nuclei blue.

What happens to the smear at a pH < 7?

The slide appears too pink.

What happens to the smear at a pH > 7?

The slide appears too blue.

What is the normal range for ESR in men?

0–15 mm/hr.

What factors increase ESR?

Inflammation, infection, pregnancy, malignancy.

What factors decrease ESR?

Sickle cells, polycythemia, spherocytes.

What are common indications for a bone marrow exam?

Anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and suspected leukemia.

What does normal cellularity in bone marrow correspond to?

100 - age ± 10%.

How is anemia classified by MCV?

Microcytic, normocytic, macrocytic.

What does low reticulocyte count indicate?

Hypoproliferative anemia.

What does high reticulocyte count suggest?

Hemolysis or blood loss.

Where does extravascular hemolysis occur?

In the spleen and liver.

What is a characteristic of intravascular hemolysis?

Free hemoglobin leading to decreased haptoglobin.

What is the formula for calculating % parasitemia in malaria?

(Parasitized RBCs / Total RBCs) × 100.

What species of malaria is indicated by multiple rings?

Falciparum.

What defines transudate in body fluids?

Protein >30 g/L, with clear appearance.

What is the definition of hematopoiesis?

The process of blood cell production.

What is the M:E ratio in normal conditions?

2:1 to 4:1.

How does the spleen function in the body?

Filters abnormal RBCs, immune function, stores platelets and WBCs.

What appears in the blood after splenectomy?

Howell-Jolly bodies.

What is key in blood smear preparation?

A smooth gradient and feathered edge.

What staining error causes RBCs to appear too blue?

Alkaline pH, thick smear.

What is the hematopoiesis timeline in fetus?

0–2 months: yolk sac; 2–7 months: liver and spleen; birth onward: bone marrow.

What are the key proteins of the RBC membrane?

Spectrin, ankyrin, band 3, glycophorin.

What is the structure of mature erythrocytes?

40% lipids, 52% proteins, and 8% carbohydrates.

Under what condition is extramedullary hematopoiesis observed?

In response to increased demand or stress.

What is the role of Erythropoietin (EPO)?

Stimulates RBC production.

What indicates an increase in demand for RBCs?

Hypoxia.

What cell types do not return to circulation after entering tissues?

Neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils.

What regulates the formation of platelets?

Thrombopoietin (TPO).

What is the average blood volume for men?

5–6 L.

What is the plasma composition breakdown?

91.5% water, 8.5% solutes.

What role does albumin play in plasma?

It maintains osmotic pressure.

The presence of which cells indicates splenic dysfunction?

Howell-Jolly bodies.

What characterizes reticulocytes?

Last stage before mature RBC with blue staining.

What does an increased reticulocyte count indicate?

Active erythropoiesis or hemolysis.

What are Howell-Jolly bodies indicative of?

Non-functioning spleen or post-splenectomy.

What distinguishes thrombocytes from other cells?

They are involved in clot formation.

What does an increase in hemoglobin synthesis require?

Iron, globin chains, protoporphyrin, and Vitamin B6.

What physiological condition could lead to hepatosplenomegaly?

Non-bone marrow hematopoiesis.

What does normal RBC membrane optimize?

Flexibility and stability.

What is the composition of the hematopoietic system pools?

Stem cell pool, proliferation pool, maturation pool.

What type of anemia is indicated by a high erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)?

Anemia of chronic disease, inflammation.

What is the primary purpose of bone marrow?

Hematopoiesis.

What does the RBC membrane primarily consist of?

Lipids and proteins.

What is the significance of a thick blood smear preparation?

It may trap WBCs in the tail.

What lyses under alkaline conditions leading to a pink appearance?

Staining errors or insufficient washing.

What can indicate an enlarged spleen in a blood smear?

Presence of target cells, acanthocytes.

What condition is characterized by multiple layers of RBCs?

Polycythemia.

What is the lifespan of a mature RBC?

Approximately 120 days.

What indicates splenic involvement in hemolysis?

Increased bilirubin and spherocytes.

What type of cells line the vessel walls that form the marginating pool?

Neutrophils.

In relation to hematopoiesis, what does 'M:E Ratio' refer to?

Myeloid to erythroid ratio in the bone marrow.

What causes an increase in reticulocytes?

Conditions leading to hemolysis or blood loss.

What causes a decrease in ESR?

Alterations in RBC shape such as sickle cells.

What is the purpose of performing a manual differential?

To further investigate abnormalities flagged by automated systems.

What does a high M:E ratio indicate?

Potential myeloid malignancies.

What kind of infection can induce granulocyte maturation?

Bacterial infections.

What changes during the maturation of RBCs?

Decrease in cell size and N:C ratio, and chromatin condensation.

What are characteristics of granulocyte maturation?

Changes from myeloblast to segmented neutrophil.

Why are RBC indices important?

They help in diagnosing hematological disorders.

What can excessive hemolysis lead to regarding bilirubin levels?

Increased unconjugated bilirubin.

What are the effects of chronic stress on blood cell production?

Increased demand for erythropoiesis and leukopoiesis.

What does increased M:E ratio signify?

Possible infections or chronic myeloid leukemia.

What do spiculated RBCs on a smear indicate?

Possible liver abnormalities or lipid membrane changes.

How does platelet production occur?

Through cytoplasmic fragmentation of megakaryocytes.

What is the significance of the biconcave shape of RBCs?

Enhances surface area for gas exchange.

Why is blood type testing important before transfusions?

To prevent hemolytic transfusion reactions.