RBCs
What is erythopoetin?
a hormone that is secreted in the kidneys to stimulate the production of RBCs in the bone marrow
What does Hematocrit assess?
most valuable in assessing blood loss & the percentage of RBCs in the plasma
What does hemoglobin assess?
most valuable in assessing different types of anemia, and reflects how much oxygen is able to be carried form the body to the cell
What is the name of decreased WBCs?
leukopenia
How are platelets formed and removed?
Why is women's RBCs lower than men's RBCs?
women have menstrual cycles
How much more should the level of hematocrit be to hemogloblin?
roughly 3x
in relation to the size and shape of RBCs
What is the DIFFERENTIAL WBCs?
the % is given for how many WBCs there is in each type of WBC
What is the biggest danger with increased thrombocytosis?
Splenectomy because the spleen can't remove PLTs if the patient doesn't have a spleen
What is the names of increased and decreased RBCs
increased - polycythemia; decreased - anemia
a decrease in plasma volume (fluid)
administer pain medications
What are the two most common types of WBCs?
Neutrophils and Lymphocytes
What is an intervention you can implement in thrombocytosis?
administer aspirin because it decreases the platelets stickiness
What can you use to treat anemia,
Administer Procrit, especially in chemo patients
What types of patients can cause a falsely high hematocrit?
Burn patients
what is TOTAL WBCs?
the total number of WBCs in the blood
less than 2000 is critical; less than 500 is fatal
What is a big cause of thrombocytopenia?
Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)
What are indications of a true decrease in RBCs?
blood loss, bone marrow dysfunction, and lack of erythropoetin
If a patient has a normal hydration status, but an elevated hematocrit, what can happen?
overactive bone marrow, or hypoxic state like COPD
What is the name of increased WBCs?
leukocytosis
What lab value would indicate a critical leukocytosis?
more than 30,000 is critical
What is Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)?