Basic Concepts of Hematology

Hematology

The study of blood and blood-forming organs

Composition Percentages

Plasma + Cells

Plasma ~ 55%

RBC’S ~ 45%

WBC AND PLT ~1%

How much blood does an adult have?

~ 6 L

Composition of Plasma

Water, Proteins, Electrolytes, Carbohydrates, vitamins, hormones, fats

Function of Plasma

Transport acts as the main transport system for cells and nutrients to tissues and waste to the lungs and kidneys

Erythrocytes (Red Blood Cell) Function

Contains Hemoglobin.

Transports oxygen and carbon dioxide

Leukocytes (White Blood Cell)

Involved with immune defense

Able to diapedese; white blood cells (leukocytes) squeeze through the intact walls of capillaries and small blood vessels to enter surrounding body tissues

Thrombocytes (Platelets)

Required for blood clotting

Hemostasis

he body's natural process of stopping blood flow and sealing a damaged blood vessel after an injury

Mechanisms of Hemostasis

1. Primary (Platelet Plug Formation)

2. Secondary (coagulation (clotting) factors is triggered)

3. Fibrinolysis (Clears the clot once tissue heals)

Coagulation

the process where blood changes from a liquid to a solid gel to stop bleeding after an injury. one component of hemostasis

Testing in the Hematology Laboratory

• Complete Blood Count (CBC)

• WBC Differential (a blood test that measures the percentage and absolute number of each specific type of white blood cell making up your total white blood cell count)

• Coagulation

• Urinalysis

• Body Fluids

Differential

looking at the different types of white blood cells (WBCs) in a person's blood and determining how much of each type is present. WBCs increase in different situations.

Elevated Neutrophils (Neutrophilia): Often signals a sudden bacterial infection, acute inflammation, or physical stress.

• Elevated Lymphocytes (Lymphocytosis): Usually indicates a viral infection (like mononucleosis) or certain blood cancers like leukemia.

• Elevated Eosinophils (Eosinophilia): Points toward allergies, an eczema flare-up, or a parasite.

Anti-coagulated Sample

a whole blood specimen collected in a tube containing specific chemical additives that prevent blood clotting

Peripheral Blood Smear

a laboratory test where a thin layer of blood is placed on a glass slide and examined under a microscope to check blood cell shapes, sizes, and numbers. examines cell morphology and allows you to perform a differential.

What can the lab do with an anti-coagulated sample

• Perform a complete blood count (CBC)

• make, stain, and review a peripheral blood smear (PBS)

Complete Blood Count

test that measures the different types of cells making up your blood