PHS4300: Blood Disorders Exam Study
Guide 100% Pass
Functions of Blood - ANSWER Transport various substances
Thermoregulation defense
Composition of blood - ANSWER 55% plasma, 45% formed elements
Plasma - ANSWER 92% water, 7% plasma proteins (serum albumin, serum globulin,
fibrinogen)
Erythrocytes (RBCs) - ANSWER Most numerous
Transport oxygen to and remove CO2 from tissues
Main functional constituent = Hb
Leukocytes (WBCs) - ANSWER Act primarily in tissues but circulate in blood &
lymphatic/immune system
Protect the body from phagocytosis of microorganisms
Thrombocytes (Platelets) - ANSWER Fractions of cytoplasm
Form blood clots and control bleeding
1/3 found in spleen
Hematopoiesis - ANSWER Formation of all formed elements
Hemocytoblast - ANSWER Pluripotent stem cell that forms either myeloid of lymphoid
stem cells eventually forming formed elements
Myeloid stem cell - ANSWER Form RBCs, platelets and WBCs (granulocytes)
Lymphoid stem cell - ANSWER Forms WBCs (B & T lymphocytes, natural killer cells)
WBC differential count - ANSWER Relative % of individual WBC type
Indicates which arm (myeloid or lymphoid) is dysfunctional
Erythropoiesis - ANSWER RBC production
Occurs in red marrow of bones
Requires stem cells, EPO, iron, folate and B12
, EPO - ANSWER Hormone produced by the kidney, triggers hemocytoblast to become a
proerythroblast
Reticulocytes - ANSWER Immature RBCs
Hematocrit - ANSWER % of total blood volume occupied by RBCs
Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) - ANSWER Volume of the average RBC
Mean Cell Hb Concentraction (MCHC) - ANSWER [Hb] (g) per 10 mL of RBCs/hematocrit
(%)
Anemia - ANSWER Reduced # of RBCs or low levels of Hb resulting in
decrease/impairment of oxygen carrying capacity
Hemorrhagic anemia - ANSWER Due to excessive blood loss
Hemolytic anemia - ANSWER Due to destruction of RBCs
Polycythemia - ANSWER Excess of cells
Increases blood volume and viscosity
Anemia general S&S - ANSWER Tissue hypoxia; fatigue, sydnea, dizziness, headache
Hemolytic anemia specific S&S - ANSWER Jaundice due to increased levels of bilirubin
Aplastic anemia specific S&S - ANSWER Petechia & purpura due to decrease in
platelets
Anemia compensatory mechanisms - ANSWER Increased HR, CO and circulatory rate
Redistribution of blood (short term)
Microcytic anemia - ANSWER Low MCV
Noromocytic anemia - ANSWER Normal MCV
Macrocytic anemia - ANSWER High MCV
Hypochromic anemia - ANSWER Low MCHC
Normochromic anemia - ANSWER Normal MCHC
Aplastic anemia - ANSWER Disorder of pluripotent bone marrow stem cell; leads to
pancytopenia
Acquired (chemo/radiation) or familial
Dx: Reticulocytes = 0
RBCs normocytic and normochromic
Guide 100% Pass
Functions of Blood - ANSWER Transport various substances
Thermoregulation defense
Composition of blood - ANSWER 55% plasma, 45% formed elements
Plasma - ANSWER 92% water, 7% plasma proteins (serum albumin, serum globulin,
fibrinogen)
Erythrocytes (RBCs) - ANSWER Most numerous
Transport oxygen to and remove CO2 from tissues
Main functional constituent = Hb
Leukocytes (WBCs) - ANSWER Act primarily in tissues but circulate in blood &
lymphatic/immune system
Protect the body from phagocytosis of microorganisms
Thrombocytes (Platelets) - ANSWER Fractions of cytoplasm
Form blood clots and control bleeding
1/3 found in spleen
Hematopoiesis - ANSWER Formation of all formed elements
Hemocytoblast - ANSWER Pluripotent stem cell that forms either myeloid of lymphoid
stem cells eventually forming formed elements
Myeloid stem cell - ANSWER Form RBCs, platelets and WBCs (granulocytes)
Lymphoid stem cell - ANSWER Forms WBCs (B & T lymphocytes, natural killer cells)
WBC differential count - ANSWER Relative % of individual WBC type
Indicates which arm (myeloid or lymphoid) is dysfunctional
Erythropoiesis - ANSWER RBC production
Occurs in red marrow of bones
Requires stem cells, EPO, iron, folate and B12
, EPO - ANSWER Hormone produced by the kidney, triggers hemocytoblast to become a
proerythroblast
Reticulocytes - ANSWER Immature RBCs
Hematocrit - ANSWER % of total blood volume occupied by RBCs
Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) - ANSWER Volume of the average RBC
Mean Cell Hb Concentraction (MCHC) - ANSWER [Hb] (g) per 10 mL of RBCs/hematocrit
(%)
Anemia - ANSWER Reduced # of RBCs or low levels of Hb resulting in
decrease/impairment of oxygen carrying capacity
Hemorrhagic anemia - ANSWER Due to excessive blood loss
Hemolytic anemia - ANSWER Due to destruction of RBCs
Polycythemia - ANSWER Excess of cells
Increases blood volume and viscosity
Anemia general S&S - ANSWER Tissue hypoxia; fatigue, sydnea, dizziness, headache
Hemolytic anemia specific S&S - ANSWER Jaundice due to increased levels of bilirubin
Aplastic anemia specific S&S - ANSWER Petechia & purpura due to decrease in
platelets
Anemia compensatory mechanisms - ANSWER Increased HR, CO and circulatory rate
Redistribution of blood (short term)
Microcytic anemia - ANSWER Low MCV
Noromocytic anemia - ANSWER Normal MCV
Macrocytic anemia - ANSWER High MCV
Hypochromic anemia - ANSWER Low MCHC
Normochromic anemia - ANSWER Normal MCHC
Aplastic anemia - ANSWER Disorder of pluripotent bone marrow stem cell; leads to
pancytopenia
Acquired (chemo/radiation) or familial
Dx: Reticulocytes = 0
RBCs normocytic and normochromic
