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)

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