Unit #6B – Clinical Laboratory Testing Basic Hematology Cecile Sanders, M.Ed., MT(ASCP), CLS (NCA)

Unit #6B – Clinical Laboratory Testing – Basic Hematology Department of Hematology Study of formed elements of blood and blood forming tissues Screen, diagnosis and monitor hematologic diseases (anemias, leukemias, etc.) and also give a general idea of overall health

Unit #6B – Clinical Laboratory Testing – Basic Hematology Composition of Blood - blood is 6-8% of total body weight and equals approximately 5 liters (think about 5 liter bottles of Coke) Serum vs Plasma – Both are fluid portions of blood Serum is from clotted blood, has no clotting factors (used up in the clotting process) Plasma is from anticoagulated blood, has clotting factors, makes up about 45-60% of blood’s volume

Unit #6B – Clinical Laboratory Testing – Basic Hematology Cellular Elements – make up the remainder of the blood volume Erythrocytes / RBCs ~ 4-6 million/µL Transport oxygen and carbon dioxide Electron Micrograph Stained Blood Smear Viewed by Microscope

Unit #6B – Clinical Laboratory Testing – Basic Hematology Leukocytes / WBCs ~ 4,800-10,800 /µL in circulating blood; many more in tissues Function in immunity and defense against bacteria, viruses and all other foreign materials (includes allergens like pollen, etc.) Illustration of WBC Stained WBC Viewed Under Microscope

Unit #6B – Clinical Laboratory Testing – Basic Hematology Types of WBCs: Granulocytes (neutrophils, basophils, & eosinophils) Drawing Stained Granulocytes Viewed Under Microscope

Unit #6B – Clinical Laboratory Testing – Basic Hematology Lymphocytes (On blood smear) Monocytes (On blood smear)

Unit #6B – Clinical Laboratory Testing – Basic Hematology Platelets / Thrombocytes Pieces of a bone marrow cell known as a megakaryocyte Function to stop bleeding by forming a plug and also release coagulation factors Platelets on blood smear (very small “dots” among RBC)

Unit #6B – Clinical Laboratory Testing – Basic Hematology Common Hematology Laboratory Tests Complete Blood Count (CBC) includes: RBC count WBC count Hemoglobin Hematocrit WBC Differential Platelet count Additional information on size and appearance of blood cells

Unit #6B – Clinical Laboratory Testing – Basic Hematology Common Hematology Laboratory Tests Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) Reticulocyte Count Sickle Cell Testing Coagulation Tests include: Prothrombin Time (PT) Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT) Fibrinogen Factor Analysis

Unit #6B – Clinical Laboratory Testing – Basic Hematology Hematological Diseases (Diseases may be classified in more than one category) Diseases of improper or insufficient production Anemias – Examples include iron deficiency anemia and aplastic anemia, among others Leukemias – WBC production is affected and defective. Examples include acute and chronic leukemias Thrombocytopenia – Decreased platelets. Patient may have bleeding problems

Unit #6B – Clinical Laboratory Testing – Basic Hematology Diseases of defective cell function May be combination of improper cell production and defective function Examples include iron deficiency anemia and certain leukemias Inherited hematological diseases Examples include hemophilia, sickle cell anemia, G6PD deficiency, thalassemias Secondary or acquired hematological diseases Examples include hemolytic disease due to renal pathologies or atypical lymphocytes due to viral infections