Hematology APEA 3P Exam Flashcards

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering microcytic and macrocytic anemias, leukemias, lymphatic anatomy, and Rh incompatibility from the APEA 3P Hematology study guide.

Iron deficiency anemia (Lab Findings)

Microcytic anemia characterized by low ferritin, high TIBC, and high RDW.

Thalassemia trait (Lab Findings)

Microcytic anemia characterized by normal or high ferritin, normal TIBC, normal RDW, raised HbA2 on electrophoresis, and a high RBC count.

Anemia of chronic disease (Lab Findings)

Anemia characterized by normal or high ferritin, low TIBC, and normal RDW; usually normocytic and associated with chronic inflammation.

Iron deficiency anemia (Clinical Assessment)

Presents with pica (ice craving), spoon nails, angular cheilitis, and glossitis; requires GI evaluation in adult men and postmenopausal women.

Ferrous sulfate administration

Oral iron supplement taken on an empty stomach with vitamin C (avoiding antacids, calcium, dairy, and tea); reticulocytes rise in about 1 week and therapy continues 3 to 6 months after hemoglobin normalizes.

Pernicious anemia

Autoimmune loss of gastric parietal cells causing lack of intrinsic factor and B12 malabsorption; features macrocytic red cells, hypersegmented neutrophils, and high levels of both methylmalonic acid and homocysteine.

Vitamin B12 vs. Folate deficiency differentiation

Neurologic signs (paresthesias, loss of vibration and position sense, ataxia, memory changes) and elevated methylmalonic acid separate B12 deficiency from folate deficiency (which raises homocysteine only).

Beta thalassemia major

Autosomal recessive disease causing reduced beta-globin synthesis; presents from about 6 months of age with severe anemia, hepatosplenomegaly, frontal bossing, and growth failure; treated with transfusions and iron chelation (deferoxamine, deferasirox).

Sickle cell disease (Pathophysiology)

Autosomal recessive condition where valine replaces glutamic acid on the beta chain; deoxygenated HbS polymerizes, causing sickling, hemolysis, vaso-occlusion, and functional asplenia.

Hydroxyurea

Pharmacologic agent in sickle cell disease that raises fetal hemoglobin; causes myelosuppression requiring CBC monitoring and is teratogenic.

Sickle cell disease prophylactic penicillin

Penicillin prophylaxis administered to children with sickle cell disease from age 2 months to age 5.

Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)

Most common childhood cancer (peak age 2 to 5) where malignant lymphoblasts crowd out normal marrow; CBC shows anemia, low platelets, and blasts.

Right lymphatic duct

Lymphatic structure that drains interstitial fluid from the right arm and the right side of the head and chest.

Thoracic duct

Lymphatic vessel that drains interstitial fluid from the entire body except the right arm and right side of the head and chest.

Malignant lymph node assessment

Lymph node findings characterized as hard, fixed, nontender, and greater than 1 cm in size.

Virchow node

Left supraclavicular node whose enlargement suggests abdominal cancer.

Rh incompatibility

Condition where an Rh-negative mother is sensitized by Rh-positive fetal cells; maternal IgG crosses the placenta in later pregnancies and destroys fetal red cells in a type II reaction.

Rho(D) immune globulin administration

Prophylaxis given at 28 weeks gestation and within 72 hours of delivering an Rh-positive infant, as well as after miscarriage, abortion, ectopic pregnancy, amniocentesis, trauma, or bleeding.