Second Shifting Coverage

• What is hematology the study of?

  Blood cells and coagulation
• What does hematology encompass?

  Analysis of blood cells, their precursors, plasma constituents, and coagulation factors
• What is a Complete Blood Count (CBC)?

  A series of whole-blood tests to determine blood cell characteristics
• How do most laboratories generate a CBC?

  By employing automated analyzers
• What does anisocytosis refer to?

  Variation in RBC size
• What are the components of the RBC parameters in a CBC?

  • RBC Count
  • Hemoglobin
  • Hematocrit
  • Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)
  • Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH)
  • Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC)
  • RBC Distribution Width (RDW)
• What is the RBC Count expressed as?

  The number of cells per cubic mL
• What is the primary function of hemoglobin?

  To transport molecular oxygen from the lungs to tissues
• What does hematocrit measure?

  The ratio of packed RBC volume to whole blood volume
• What does Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) reflect?

  The diameter of RBCs
• What does Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH) express?

  The mass of hemoglobin per cell
• What does Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) reflect?

  The staining intensity and amount of central pallor in RBCs
• What does RBC Distribution Width (RDW) express?

  The degree of variation in RBC volume
• What are the WBC parameters in a CBC?

  • WBC Count
  • Differential Count (Neutrophils, Eosinophils, Basophils, Lymphocytes, Monocytes)
• What is leukopenia?

  Decreased WBC count
• What is leukocytosis?

  Increased WBC count
• What is a differential count?

  A review and classification of 100 white blood cells in a stained blood film
• What are neutrophils?

  Phagocytic cells with multilobed nuclei
• What is neutrophilia?

  Increased neutrophil count
• What are eosinophils characterized by?

  Round, bright orange-red cytoplasmic granules
• What is eosinophilia?

  Increased eosinophil count
• What do basophils contain?

  Dark purple, irregular cytoplasmic granules that obscure the nucleus
• What is basophilia?

  Increased basophil count
• What are lymphocytes characterized by?

  Nearly round shape, larger than RBCs, and round featureless nuclei
• What is lymphocytosis?

  Increased lymphocyte count
• What are monocytes?

  Slightly larger WBCs with blue-gray cytoplasm and indented nuclei
• What is monocytosis?

  Increased monocyte count
• What are the platelet parameters in a CBC?

  • Platelet Count
  • Mean Platelet Volume (MPV)
• What is the purpose of a coagulation test?

  To test for clotting factors
• What are the types of coagulation tests?

  • Prothrombin Time (PT)
  • Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT or aPTT)
  • Thrombin Time
  • Fibrinogen Assay
  • D-dimer Assay
• What is microbiology focused on?

  Detection, characterization, and quantification of pathogens
• What types of pathogens does microbiology study?

  Bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites
• What is the purpose of a Gram stain?

  • Provides information for selecting antimicrobial therapy
  • Assesses specimen quality
• What is the primary stain used in Gram staining?

  Crystal violet
• What is the decolorizer used in Gram staining?

  Acetone-alcohol
• What is the secondary stain used in Gram staining?

  Safranin
• What are examples of Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms?

  • Gram-positive cocci: Staphylococcus, Streptococcus
  • Gram-negative cocci: Neisseria
  • Gram-positive bacilli: Bacillus
  • Gram-negative bacilli: Pseudomonas
• What is the purpose of an Acid Fast stain?

  To stain organisms with high lipid and wax content in their cell walls
• What is the primary stain used in Acid Fast staining?

  Carbol fuchsin
• What is the decolorizer used in Acid Fast staining?

  Acid-alcohol