Blood, Lymphatic, and Immune System: Drug Categories & Procedures

anticoagulant

Medication that prevents blood clots

erythropoietin

Medications that promote the production of red blood cells

immunosuppressant

A class of medicines that inhibit or decrease the intensity of the immune response in the body.

thrombolytic enzyme

Drugs that dissolve a major clot quickly.

bone marrow aspiration

A bone marrow aspiration is to collect a sample of bone marrow for analysis.

complete blood count (CBC)

A complete blood count test measures the following: Red blood cells, which carry oxygen; White blood cells, which fight infection; Hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells.

hematocrit

The ratio (percentage) of the volume of red blood cells to the total volume of blood as determined by separation of red blood cells from the plasma usually by centrifugation.

immunization

A process by which a person becomes protected against a disease through vaccination.

morphology

The study of the size, shape, and structure of organisms.

lymphangiogram

An x-ray of the lymph nodes and lymph vessels.

lymph node biopsy

The removal of lymph node tissue for examination under a microscope.

phlebotomy

When a needle is used to take blood from a vein for medical purposes.

plasmapheresis

The process of obtaining plasma from blood.

splenectomy

Surgical removal of the spleen.

transfusion

The process of transferring blood or blood products from one person to another.

autologous transfusion

A transfusion where the individual is both donor and recipient.

vaccination

Introducing harmless fragments of pathogens to activate the immune response.

venipuncture

Surgical puncture of a vein especially for the withdrawal of blood or for intravenous medication.