Medical-surgical Nursing Demystified

(^176) Medical-Surgical Nursing Demystified

Learning Objectives

Key Terms

Clotting factors

Ecchymosis

Epistaxis

Hematocrit

Hemoglobin

Hemolysis

Leukopenia

Lymphocytes

Macrophages

Microemboli

Petechiae

Prothrombin

PT

PTT

Purpura

Stem cells

Thrombocytopenia

Anemia

Aplastic anemia (Pancytopenia)

Iron deficiency anemia

Pernicious anemia

Disseminated intravascular

coagulation (DIC)

Hemophilia

Leukemia

Multiple myeloma

Polycythemia vera

Sickle cell anemia

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic

purpura (ITP)

1

2

3

3

4

7

8

9

5

6

10

11

12

How the Hematologic System Works

The hematologic system refers to the blood and blood-forming organs.The forma-

tion of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets begins in the bone marrow.

Stem cells are produced in the bone marrow. Initially, these cells are not differen-

tiated and may become red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), or

platelets. In the next stage of development, the stem cell becomes committed to a

particular precursor cell, to become either a myeloid or lymphoid type of cell and

will differentiate into a particular cell type when in the presence of a specific

growth factor.

The spleen is found in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen. The spleen fil-

ters whole blood. It removes old and imperfect white blood cells, lymphocytes and

macrophages, and RBCs. The spleen also breaks down hemoglobin and stores of

RBCs and platelets.