NHA: Assisting in the Analysis of Blood

anemia

A condition marked by a de?ciency of red blood cells (RBCs)

antibody

A speci?c protein produced by a lymphocytic plasma cell to destroy a speci?c foreign invader (antigen) in the body

antigen

A foreign invader (e.g., bacterium, virus, toxin, allergen) that generates an immune response with the production of antibodies

artifacts

Structures or features not normally present but visible as a result of an external agent or action

basophils

White blood cells with granules that stain deep blue and play a part in the in?ammatory process

buffy coat

The layer of white cells and platelets found between the plasma and the packed RBCs after whole blood is centrifuged

centrifuge

An apparatus consisting essentially of a compartment that spins about a central axis to separate contained materials of different specific gravities or to separate colloidal particles suspended in a liquid

cuvette

A specimen container made of plastic or glass designed to hold samples for laboratory tests using light meter technology (spectrophotometry)

enzymes

Complex proteins produced by cells that act as catalysts in speci?c biochemical reactions

eosinophils

White blood cells with granules that stain red. Their numbers increase during allergic reactions

leukocytosis

An increase in the number of white blood cells (WBCs)

lymphocytes

Non-granular small white blood cells with a dense nucleus. Their numbers increase during a viral infection

monocytes

Non-granular large white blood cells with a large lobular nucleus. Their numbers increase during the recovery phase of tissue damage

neutrophils

White blood cells with small granules that stain lavender. They are the most common WBC and ?ght bacterial infections

polycythemia vera

A condition marked by an abnormally large number of red blood cells (RBCs) in the circulatory system

type and cross-match

Tests performed to assess the compatibility of blood to be transfused

urea

The major nitrogenous end product of protein metabolism and the chief nitrogenous waste product in the urine

What are the main functions of circulating blood?

-Supplies the body's cells with nutrients and oxygen
-Carries away carbon dioxide and urea, the waste products of normal cell activity
-Distributes enzymes, hormones, and other chemicals needed for control and regulation of body activities

What are the four laboratory departments that test blood specimens?

#NAME?

Whole blood is composed of formed elements suspended in a clear, yellow liquid portion called ______________

plasma

Plasma makes up approximately _________ % of the blood by volume

55

The remaining 45% of blood consists of formed cellular elements, which are the _______________________, ___________________________, and ____________________.

erythrocytes (RBCs), leukocytes (WBCs), and thrombocytes (platelets)

The red pigment, ________________, in the RBC carries oxygen throughout the body

hemoglobin

The life span of an erythrocyte is about ______ days, and when matured an erythrocyte has a _______________________ shape

120; biconcave disk

The three granular leukocytes include the _____________________, ___________________, and ____________________

polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs), eosinophils (EOs), and basophils (BASOs)

The agranular leukocytes are the _____________ and _______________, both of which have clear cytoplasm and a solid nucleus

monocytes and lymphocytes

What is the function of neutrophils?

To engulf and destroy invading bacteria and viruses

What is the function of eosinophils?

To help with allergic reactions/allergies

What is the function of basophils?

To play a part in the inflammatory process

What is the function of monocytes?

To help with the recovery phase of tissue damage

What is the function of lymphocytes?

To protect from a viral infection/help during a viral infection

________________ account for 65% to 80% of the circulating lymphocytes

T cells

What type of immunity are T cells part of?

Cell-mediated immunity

What type of immunity are B cells part of?

Humoral (antibody-mediated) immunity

What do B cells produce in response to an antigen?

An antibody

What are the different types of T cells?

#NAME?

_______________ have a long life span and respond quickly to the presentation of the same antigen at a later date

Memory T cells

________________ are the most numerous type of T cell; the stimulate the activity of other T cells and help B cells produce their antibodies

Helper T cells

__________________ kill virus-infected cells and tumor cells without previous sensitization

Cytotoxic/Killer T cells

__________________ inhibit the activity of other T cells after invaders are under control

Suppressor T cells

The smallest blood element is the platelet or _________________

thrombocytes

The platelets produce a substance that combines with _____________ in the blood, which in turn converts the protein into thrombin in a complex series of reactions

calcium

Thrombin, an enzyme, converts fibrinogen, a protein substance, into ________________, an insoluble protein that forms an intricate network of minute threadlike structures called fibrils and causes the blood plasma to gel

Fibrin

Most physician office laboratory (POL) hematology tests use blood from a __________________________ stick

capillary puncture

Reference laboratories use vacuum tubes with a ________________ colored stopper containing the anticoagulant ______________ for their hematolgy testing

lavender; ETDA

Hemoglobin (Hgb) reference ranges vary based on what five factors?

#NAME?

The _____________________ test is used to monitor the condition of patients taking warfarin (Coumadin)

prothrombin time (PT)