Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology

1. Explain why type ABblood may be called the
   “universal recipient” for blood transfusions.
   Explain why this would not be true if the transfu-
   sion required 6 units (about 3 liters) of blood.


2. The liver has many functions that are directly
   related to the composition and functions of blood.
   Name as many as you can.


3. Constructing a brick wall requires bricks andbrick-
   layers. List all the nutrients that are needed for
   RBC production, and indicate which are bricks and
   which are bricklayers.


4. Anthony moved from New Jersey to a mountain
   cabin in Colorado, 8000 feet above sea level. When
   he first arrived, his hematocrit was 44%. After 6
   months in his new home, what would you expect
   his hematocrit to be? Explain your answer, and
   what brought about the change.


5. The lab results for a particular patient show these
   CBC values:
   RBCs—4.2 million/L
   Hct—40%

Hb—13 g/100 mL

WBCs—8,500/L

Platelets—30,000/L

Is this patient healthy, or would you expect any

symptoms of a disorder? Explain your answer.

6. Using the model in Question 5, make a list of pos-
   sible CBC values for a patient with iron-deficiency
   anemia. Then make a list of possible CBC values
   for a person with aplastic anemia.


7. An artificial blood may someday be available; many
   are being tested. What specific function of blood
   will it definitely have? Are there any advantages to
   an artificial blood compared with blood from a
   human donor?


8. Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a
   serious condition that may follow certain kinds of
   infections or traumas. First, explain what the name
   means. This is best done one word at a time. In
   DIC, clotting becomes a vicious cycle, and the
   blood is depleted of clotting factors. What do
   you think will be the consequence for the affected
   person?

Blood 271

FOR FURTHER THOUGHT