hematology

Identify the primary function of RBC, WBC, platelets.

RBC: transport O2 from the lungs to tissues throughout the body and transport CO2 from tissues back to the lungs for exhalation
WBC: Part of the immune system, WBCs defend the body against infectious diseases and foreign invaders. They can identify and destroy pathogens like bacteria, viruses, and fungi. WBCs also play a role in cleaning up cellular debris and damaged tissues.
platelets: Essential for blood clotting (hemostasis). When a blood vessel is damaged, platelets adhere to the site of injury, become activated, and aggregate to form a plug that stops bleeding. They also release substances that promote clotting and healing processes

List causes of iron deficiency anemia (IDA).

low iron intake: dietary choices, pica, low income, chronic blood loss, malabsorption, pregnancy, period

List clinical manifestations of IDA.

How is IDA treated?

Define pernicious anemia? What is the patho? What is the most common cause?

cobalamin B12 deficiency
low b12 leads to abnormal cell division + macrocytic RBCs that do not function properly; disruption of myelin prod leads to neurologic dysfunction
DEFICIENT INTRINSIC FACTOR PRODUCTION

What is Polycythemia vera (PV)?

What is the patho of PV?

JAK2 mutation, stimulating uncontrolled production of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, leading to increased blood viscosity and heightened risk of thrombosis.

What is leukocytosis? What does it indicate?

What is lymphadenopathy? When does it occur? What is the difference between localized and systemic lymphadenopathy?

enlarged lymph nodes
due to infections, inflammatory conditions, cancers, medications, reactive processes
localized: enlargement in specific areas, often reflecting nearby infections or inflammation
systemic: widespread involvement across different regions of the body, suggesting a broader systemic cause that may require comprehensive evaluation and management

Erythrocytes can demonstrate poikilocytosis and anisocytosis. What do these terms mean?

What is mononucleosis? What causes mono?

poikilocytosis: the presence of abnormally shaped red blood cells (erythrocytes).
- nutritional deficiencies, genetic disorders, or certain medication

anisocytosis: rbcs vary in size, with some being larger or smaller than normal, often seen in conditions like iron deficiency anemia, vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, or chronic diseases affecting red blood cell production

mononucleosis: caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), is characterized by symptoms like sore throat, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue. It spreads through saliva, close personal contact, or sharing utensils with an infected person.

Describe the patho of Hodgkin lymphoma. How is it diagnosed? What are the clinical manifestations?

abnormal proliferation of Reed-Sternberg cells within lymph nodes, leading to localized or widespread lymph node enlargement and potential involvement of other organs.
Hx & PE, CBC, ESR, lymph node biopsy, RS cells, immunophenotyping

Disseminated intravascular coagulation: explain the patho; what is the most common cause?

complex, acquired disorder in which clotting and hemorrhage simultaneously occur, leading to necrosis in various organs
sepsis is the most common cause

Define coagulation. What are some causes of impaired hemostasis?

Coagulation is the process where blood forms clots to stop bleeding, involving the conversion of fibrinogen into fibrin to create a stable clot.
Causes of impaired hemostasis include coagulation disorders (like hemophilia), platelet disorders (such as thrombocytopenia), liver disease affecting clotting factor production, and medications that interfere with clotting mechanisms.

Define hemochromatosis. Which protein is deficient?

Hemochromatosis is a genetic disorder characterized by excessive absorption of dietary iron, leading to iron overload in tissues and organs.
The deficiency in hemochromatosis involves impaired production or function of hepcidin, a key regulator of iron metabolism that normally controls the amount of iron absorbed from the diet and released from storage sites in the body.

What happens when there is a decreased production of red blood cells? Think step-by-step.

Decreased viscosity and increased flow…how does this affect the heart? What are the two major issues?

decreased oxygen transport, compensatory mechanisms such as increased heart rate and oxygen extraction, decreased blood viscosity, and potential cardiac strain due to prolonged tachycardia and reduced oxygen delivery to tissue

What is leukemia? What is the diagnostic criteria for CML?

What are the clinical manifestations of ALL? How do the symptoms demonstrate bone marrow depression?

anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, anorexia, abdominal pain, CNS involvement
bone marrow depression as leukemia cells replace normal hematopoietic cells, leading to reduced production of red blood cells, platelets, and white blood cells, as well as systemic effects impacting appetite and organ function.

What is multiple myeloma? What are the clinical manifestations?

a cancer of plasma cells in the bone marrow, characterized by abnormal proliferation of these cells and the production of monoclonal proteins (M proteins).
clinical manifestations:
- bone pain, fractures, anemia, kidney dysfunction, hypercalcemia, and susceptibility to infections due to compromised immune function.

Sickle cell disease: what two conditions cause the erythrocyte to change shape? What happens when the cells sickle?

Sickle cell disease causes erythrocytes to change shape due to the polymerization of abnormal hemoglobin S under conditions of deoxygenization or dehydration. This sickling process leads to vaso-occlusion, where sickle cells block blood flow in small vessels, causing pain crises and tissue damage, and also contributes to chronic hemolytic anemia as sickle cells are fragile and prone to premature destruction.