haematology

• What is the main focus of haematology?


  Study of blood and its components
• What are the main types of tests conducted by laboratory haematologists?

  Full blood count, blood film, bone marrow assessment
• What types of specimens are used for haematological measurements?

  Whole blood, serum, plasma
• What does a full blood count measure?

  RBC, WBC, platelets, haemoglobin
• What is the purpose of a blood film?

  Examine morphology and characteristics of cells
• What stains are used in bone marrow assessment?

  Romanowsky, H&E, reticulin
• What does the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) measure?

  Rate at which red cells sediment
• What are haematinic assays used for?

  Identify nutrient causes of anaemia
• What infections can be screened in haematology?

  Infectious mononucleosis, malaria, worms
• What is immunophenotyping used for?

  Identify unusual cells and diagnose diseases
• What does haemoglobin variant detection identify?

  Differences in molecular structure of haemoglobin
• What are red cell enzymes used for?

  Identify heritable causes of haemolysis
• What is whole blood often anticoagulated with?

  Ethylene Diamine Tetra-acetic acid (EDTA)
• What is serum?

  Blood collected that clots, removing cells
• What is plasma used for in haematology tests?

  Haemostasis tests and Glandular Fever screen
• What is the main anticoagulant of choice in haematology?

  EDTA
• Why are clotted samples sometimes required in haematology?

  To perform certain coagulation studies
• Why is a range of pathological disciplinary areas often required for diagnosis?

  To ensure comprehensive assessment of conditions
• What is the main type of stain used to assess blood morphology?

  Romanowsky stain
• What are the two components of Romanowsky stain?

  Azure B and Eosin Y
• What type of components does Eosin bind to?

  Basic components of cells
• What type of components does Azure B bind to?

  Acidic components of cells
• What are the key mature blood cells identified in morphology?

  • Erythrocytes
  • Eosinophils
  • Neutrophils
  • Platelets
  • Basophils
  • Monocytes
  • Lymphocytes
• What is toxic granulation associated with?

  Abnormal white blood cell features
• Which disease is associated with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia?

  Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia
• What is a notable finding in malaria?

  Microfilariae
• What red cell feature is characterized by a sickle shape?

  Sickle Cells
• What is a characteristic shape of target cells?

  Target Cells
• What are Howell-Jolly Bodies?

  Inclusions in red blood cells
• Why is microscopic examination of blood films valuable?

  It extracts critical diagnostic information
• What is essential for recognizing differences in blood cell morphology?

  Confidence and competence
• Why is recognizing what should and should not be seen important?

  It aids in accurate diagnosis
• What are the key features to look for in red cell morphology?

  • Shape: Sickle Cells, Target Cells, Tear Drops, Pencil Cells, Stomatocytes, Spherocytes
  • Inclusions: Basophilic Stippling, Howell-Jolly Bodies, Heinz Bodies, Pappenheimer Bodies, Haemoglobin H inclusions
• What does haemoglobin contain?

  Red cells within plasma
• What do absolute values of haemoglobin not change?

  Proportions of red cells in plasma
• What is the atmospheric condition in El Alto, Bolivia?

  Lower partial pressure of O2
• What is the effect of lower oxygen delivery to the kidney?

  Increased Epo drive
• What is the effect of high affinity haemoglobins on the oxygen dissociation curve?

  Shifts the curve to the left
• What does low affinity haemoglobins do to the oxygen dissociation curve?

  Shifts the curve to the right
• What can lead to incorrect interpretation of haemoglobin results?

  Failure to consider haemoglobin in a complex mixture