Unit 5: Hematology in Medical Technology

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Questions and Answers

What does the term 'anisocytosis' refer to in hematology?

Variation in the size of red blood cells (correct)

A decrease in white blood cell count

The presence of abnormal white blood cells

An increase in red blood cell volume

Which parameter of the Complete Blood Count (CBC) reflects the volume of packed red blood cells to the volume of whole blood?

Mean Cell Volume (MCV)

Hemoglobin

RBC Count

Hematocrit (correct)

Leukopenia is defined as which of the following?

Increased number of platelets

Abnormal increase in red blood cell size

Decreased white blood cell count (correct)

Normal white blood cell count

What does the Mean Cell Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) measure in a Complete Blood Count?

Staining intensity of red blood cells Signup and view all the answers

What does a complete blood count (CBC) primarily analyze?

Quantity and characteristics of blood cells Signup and view all the answers

Which WBC type is characterized by a non-segmented nucleus in a U or S shape?

Band Neutrophils Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of Eosinophils?

Regulating immune response Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following types of bacteria would appear as Gram-negative bacilli?

Pseudomonas Signup and view all the answers

What does a high count of Eosinophils indicate?

Allergy or parasitic infection Signup and view all the answers

Which component is NOT included in a coagulation test?

Mean Platelet Volume (MPV) Signup and view all the answers

Which bacterium is classified as a Gram-positive coccus?

Streptococcus Signup and view all the answers

Which WBC type is known for producing host immunity?

Lymphocytes Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary stain used in Gram Staining?

Crystal Violet Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary stain used in microscopy for detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis?

Carbol fuchsin Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following reagents acts as a mordant in the Ziehl-Neelsen staining method?

Detergent/Tergitol Signup and view all the answers

What does 10% Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) primarily do to specimens?

Clears proteinaceous substances Signup and view all the answers

Which type of culture media is specifically designed to support the growth of gram-positive organisms?

Columbia agar with colistin and nalidixic acid (CNA) Signup and view all the answers

What is the medium used for antimicrobial susceptibility testing of bacteria?

Mueller-Hinton Agar Signup and view all the answers

What type of media allows for the grouping of microbes based on different characteristics displayed on the medium?

Differential media Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a method for performing antimicrobial susceptibility testing?

Heat shock treatment Signup and view all the answers

Which broth is used to enhance the growth of group B streptococci?

Lim broth (Todd Hewitt broth with CNA) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

HEMATOLOGY

Focuses on blood cell analysis, coagulation, and related constituents like plasma and serum.
Complete Blood Count (CBC) tests the quantity and characteristics of blood cells, usually performed with automated analyzers.

Components of CBC: RBC Parameters

RBC Count: Number of red blood cells (RBCs) per cubic mL.
Hemoglobin: Key component for oxygen transport from lungs to tissues.
Hematocrit: Volume ratio of packed RBC to whole blood.
Mean Cell Volume (MCV): Average RBC diameter expressed in femtoliters (fL).
Mean Cell Hemoglobin (MCH): Mass of hemoglobin per cell, measured in picograms (pg).
Mean Cell Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC): Reflects RBC stain intensity and central pallor, reported in grams per deciliter (g/dL).
RBC Distribution Width (RDW): Indicates variation in RBC volume; anisocytosis refers to size variation.

Components of CBC: WBC Parameters

WBC Count: Total white blood cells (WBCs) in 1 mm³ of blood.
Leukopenia: Abnormally low WBC count.
Leukocytosis: Abnormally high WBC count.
Differential Count: Classifies and tallies approximately 100 WBCs, identifying types like Neutrophils, Eosinophils, Basophils, Lymphocytes, Monocytes.

Neutrophils

Phagocytic cells with multilobed nuclei and pink/lavender granules.
Increases (neutrophilia) and decreases (neutropenia) can signal health conditions.
Band Neutrophils represent immature forms.

Eosinophils

Feature bright orange-red granules involved in immune regulation.
Increased eosinophils indicate eosinophilia.

Basophils

Contain dark purple granules; granules obscure the nucleus and are rich in histamine.
Elevated levels are termed basophilia.

Lymphocytes

Larger than RBCs with round nuclei and thin cytoplasm, crucial for host immunity.
Lymphocytosis and lymphocytopenia denote increases and decreases respectively.

Monocytes

Serve as immature macrophages with blue-gray cytoplasm and indented nuclei.
An increase in monocytes is termed monocytosis.

Components of CBC: Platelet Parameters

Platelet Count: Number of platelets per cubic mm.
Mean Platelet Volume (MPV): Average size of platelets.

Hematology Procedures: Coagulation Tests

Include Prothrombin Time (PT), Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT or aPTT), Thrombin Time, Fibrinogen Assay, and D-dimer Assay.

MICROBIOLOGY

Involves detection and characterization of pathogens from patient samples for diagnosis and treatment of infections.
Pathogens include bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites.

Microbiology Procedures: Gram Stain

Rapidly provides critical information for selecting antimicrobial therapies.
Reagents: Crystal violet (primary stain), Gram iodine (mordant), acetone-alcohol (decolorizer), safranin (secondary stain).
Identifies bacteria by type, e.g., Gram-positive cocci: Staphylococcus; Gram-negative bacilli: Pseudomonas.

Microbiology Procedures: Acid Fast Stain

Stains organisms with high lipid and wax content, like Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Reagents: Carbol fuchsin (primary stain), heat or detergent (mordant), acid-alcohol (decolorizer), methylene blue (secondary stain).

Direct Sputum Smear Microscopy (DSSM)

Essential for detecting infections in patient samples, especially for those who can expectorate.

10% Potassium Hydroxide (KOH)

Clears samples of protein and keratin, facilitating visualization of fungal elements.

Culture and Sensitivity

Culture media types:
- Nonselective: Supports many non-fastidious microbes (e.g., Blood Agar Plate).
- Selective: Supports specific microbe groups (e.g., MacConkey for gram-negative).
- Differential: Groups microbes based on characteristics.
- Enriched media: Enhancers for fastidious organisms (e.g., Chocolate Agar).
- Enrichment broth: Encourages specific organism growth while suppressing others.

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing

Determines effective antimicrobial agents for infections.
Methods: Disk diffusion or dilution (MIC) performed on Mueller-Hinton Agar, with standards published by CLSI.

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Description

This quiz covers Unit 5, focusing on Hematology, which involves the study of blood cells and coagulation. Dive into the analysis of blood cell concentration, structure, function, and related procedures like the Complete Blood Count (CBC). Test your understanding of the intricate relationships between blood constituents and health.