Anemia and Jaundice Quiz

Chapter 39: Assessment of the Hematologic System

• The priority concepts for this chapter are clotting and perfusion.
• The hematologic system comprises the blood, blood cells, lymph, and organs involved in blood formation and storage.
• Perfusion is the total arterial blood flow through tissues (peripheral perfusion) and the blood pumped by the heart (central perfusion).
• Clotting is a multi-step process involving blood forming a protein-based structure (clot) at tissue injury to prevent excessive bleeding while maintaining blood flow.

Anatomy and Physiology Review: Bone Marrow

• Bone marrow produces red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs) and platelets.
• Daily, the bone marrow releases approximately 2.5 billion RBCs, 2.5 billion platelets, and 1 billion WBCs per kilogram of body weight.
• In adults, active bone marrow is primarily found in flat bones and the ends of long bones.
• Marrow is replaced by fatty tissue with aging, reducing its active blood cell production capacity.
• Blood stem cells are immature, unspecialized cells that differentiate into various blood cell types based on the body's needs.

Blood Components

• Blood is composed of plasma and cells.
• Plasma proteins include albumin, globulins, and fibrinogen.
• Albumin maintains osmotic pressure preventing fluid leakage into tissues.
• Globulins have various functions, including transporting substances and acting as antibodies.
• Fibrinogen is crucial to the clotting process.
• Blood cells include RBCs, WBCs, and platelets.

Red Blood Cells (RBCs)

• RBCs constitute the largest proportion of blood cells.
• Normal range for adults is 4.2 to 6.1 million/mm³ (4.2 to 6.1 × 1012/L).
• RBCs produce hemoglobin (Hgb) which is crucial for oxygen and carbon dioxide transport.
• RBCs have an approximate lifespan of 120 days. Old RBCs are destroyed and recycled in the spleen and liver.

White Blood Cells (WBCs): Leukocytes

• WBCs are involved in inflammation and immunity.
• Different types of WBCs exist, each with specific functions.
• Neutrophils, macrophages, eosinophils, basophils, B-lymphocytes, plasma cells, memory cells, T lymphocytes, helper/inducer T cells and cytotoxic/cytolytic T cells, all play crucial roles in immune responses.
• Natural killer (NK) cells nonselectively kill abnormal cells.

Platelets

• Platelets are small blood cells crucial for clotting.
• Their functions include sticking to injured blood vessel walls and forming initial plugs at injury sites.
• They help start the clotting cascade and help seal vessels, preventing hemorrhage.
• Activated platelets secrete substances that enhance clotting.

Hemostasis and Blood Clotting

• Hemostasis is a multi-step process of controlled blood clotting.
• This balances clotting with anti-clotting actions and localizes blood clotting to damaged vessels helping prevent excessive blood loss.
• The process involves a cascade of clotting factors, which when activated and in sufficient amount cause a platelet plug and subsequently a fibrin clot.

Hematologic Changes Associated with Aging

• Aging is associated with reduced total blood volume and lower plasma protein levels.
• Lower plasma protein (e.g., albumin, globulins) is possibly due to reduced protein production in older livers and/or poor dietary intake.
• Age-related changes in blood cell counts can lead to lower total red blood cell (RBC) counts, and total white blood cell (WBC) counts.
• Lymphocyte responsiveness to antigens and antibody levels become reduced and slower with age compared to adults.

Chapter 40: Care of Patients With Hematologic Problems

• The priority concepts for this chapter include perfusion, immunity, cellular regulation, gas exchange, and clotting.
• This chapter focuses on care of patients with hematologic disorders impacting clotting, immunity, PERFUSION, and GAS EXCHANGE.
• This includes considerations, such as home-based safety measures, and health promotion/maintenance strategies for these patients, as well as psychosocial and physiological needs.

Chapter 70: Care of Patients With Breast Disorders

• The priority concepts for this chapter include cellular regulation and comfort.
• This chapter focuses on various breast problems from benign conditions to cancer, its associated effects, and the associated care.
• The chapter also discusses the role of interprofessional collaborative care within the context of breast disorders and its nursing considerations and implications for treatment and outcome for each health issue.