Glossary

Adaptive immunity: The production of antibodies by B cells and targeted killing of infected cells by T cells. (Chapter 3.2)

Agranulocytosis: A severe reduction in WBCs. (Chapter 3.11)

Anemia: A clinical sign characterized by a reduction in either the number of red blood cells, the amount of hemoglobin, or the hematocrit (percentage of red blood cells in the total blood volume). (Chapter 3.5)

Angina: Chest pain. (Chapter 3.6)

Aplastic anemia: A relatively rare but serious medical condition characterized by a significant reduction or absence of all three major blood cell types: red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets. (Chapter 3.12)

Bone marrow aspiration: The extraction of a small sample of liquid bone marrow from the center of a bone. (Chapter 3.3)

Bone marrow biopsy: A procedure that involves obtaining a small core of bone and marrow tissue from the bone marrow space. (Chapter 3.3)

Coagulation cascade: A complex series of reactions involving a variety of coagulation factors that eventually leads to the formation of a fibrin clot. (Chapter 3.2)

Dyspnea: Shortness of breath. (Chapter 3.6, Chapter 3.9)

Erythrocytes: Red blood cells (RBCs). (Chapter 3.2)

Erythromelalgia: Flushed or reddened skin, especially in the face or hands, due to engorged blood vessels. (Chapter 3.9)

Erythropoietin: An enzyme produced by the kidneys in response to hypoxia and essential for RBC production. (Chapter 3.2)

Fibrin clot formation: The final step in the clotting process. (Chapter 3.2)

Fibrinolysis: The process in which a clot is degraded in a healing vessel. (Chapter 3.2)

Glossitis: Inflammation of the tongue. (Chapter 3.6)

Hemarthrosis: Bleeding into joints. (Chapter 3.10)

Hematuria: Blood in the urine. (Chapter 3.3, Chapter 3.9)

Hemoglobin electrophoresis: A blood test that allows for the detection of abnormal types of hemoglobin and often used when diagnosing sickle cell disease. (Chapter 3.8)

Hemoptysis: Coughing up blood. (Chapter 3.10)

Hemostasis: The process by which the body seals a ruptured blood vessel and prevents further loss of blood. (Chapter 3.2)

Hepatomegaly: Enlarged liver. (Chapter 3.8)

International Normalized Ratio (INR): A blood test that measures how long it takes for the blood to clot compared to a standardized value. (Chapter 3.2)

Intrinsic factor: A protein produced by the parietal cells of the stomach that allows vitamin B12 to be absorbed by the intestines. (Chapter 3.7)

Iron-deficiency anemia (IDA): A type of anemia characterized by a lack of sufficient iron in the body, leading to a decrease in the production of hemoglobin and red blood cells. (Chapter 3.6)

Jaundice: A yellow discoloration in the skin, mucus membranes, and eyes due to the body’s inability to adequately metabolize bilirubin. (Chapter 3.2)

Koilonychia: Thin, brittle, or spoon-shaped nails often resulting from iron-deficiency anemia. (Chapter 3.6)

Leukocytes: White blood cells (WBCs). (Chapter 3.2)

Leukopenia: An abnormally low number of circulating white blood cells (WBC). (Chapter 3.11)

Megakaryocytes: Platelet-producing cells. (Chapter 3.10)

Myocardial infarction: Heart attack (Chapter 3.6)

Neutropenia: An abnormally low level of neutrophils, which are important for fighting infections. (Chapter 3.11)

Osteonecrosis: Bone death. (Chapter 3.8)

Pancytopenia: A reduction in all three major blood cell types and occurs when the bone marrow fails to produce an adequate number of blood cells, leading to a decrease in circulating levels in the bloodstream. (Chapter 3.12)

Peripheral blood smear: A test that can be used to diagnose SCD where a thin layer of cells is examined under a microscope to determine the shape of red blood cells. (Chapter 3.8)

Peripheral neuropathy: Numbness or tingling in extremities. (Chapter 3.9)

Pernicious anemia: A type of vitamin B12 anemia and an autoimmune disorder in which antibodies are formed that attack intrinsic factors or the cells that produce intrinsic factors. (Chapter 3.7)

Petechiae: Tiny red spots on skin. (Chapter 3.10, Chapter 3.12)

Phagocytosis: Engulfment and destruction of bacteria. (Chapter 3.2)

Pica: Craving and consumption of non-food items (e.g., ice, clay, dirt). (Chapter 3.6)

Plasmapheresis: A treatment for polycythemia vera where there is withdrawal of whole blood and the removal of red blood cells and then a reinfusion of the plasma back into the client. (Chapter 3.9)

Plasmin: An enzyme that is responsible for breaking down fibrin, the mesh-like structure of a blood clot. (Chapter 3.2)

Platelet aggregation: Platelets stick together. (Chapter 3.2)

Platelet plug: Occurs when activated platelets stick together at the site of an injury, which helps to temporarily seal the wound. (Chapter 3.2)

Platelets: Assist in blood clotting and release growth factors to repair and heal tissue; also called thrombocytes. (Chapter 3.2)

Polycythemia: A medical condition with an excessive number of abnormal red blood cells. (Chapter 3.9)

Polycythemia vera: A medical condition that results from an abnormal increase in red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in the blood. (Chapter 3.9)

Pruritus: Itchiness. (Chapter 3.9)

Pulsatile tinnitus: Rhythmic pulsing sound in the ear. (Chapter 3.9)

Purpura: Purple or red spots on skin. (Chapter 3.10)

Red blood cells (RBCs): Transport oxygen and carbon dioxide between tissues and the lungs; also called erythrocytes. (Chapter 3.2)

Sickle cell disease: A genetic disorder characterized by abnormal hemoglobin molecules in red blood cells, leading to the formation of sickle-shaped cells instead of the usual biconcave disc-shaped cells. (Chapter 3.8)

Splenectomy: Surgical removal of the spleen. (Chapter 3.2)

Splenomegaly: Enlargement of the spleen. (Chapter 3.2)

Tachycardia: Rapid heart rate. (Chapter 3.6)

Tachypnea: Rapid respiratory rate. (Chapter 3.6)

Thrombocytes: Platelets. (Chapter 3.2)

Thrombocytopenia: A medical condition characterized by a decreased number of platelets in the blood. (Chapter 3.10)

Thrombopoietin: The growth factor that regulates platelet production. (Chapter 3.2)

Transfusion reactions: Adverse events that are directly related to the transfusion of blood products and may range from mild to severe with life-threatening effects. The onset of transfusion reactions may occur during the transfusion (known as acute transfusion reactions) or in days or weeks following the transfusion (known as delayed transfusion reactions). (Chapter 3.5)

White blood cells: Provide immune function and body defenses against disease; also called leukocytes. (Chapter 3.2)