Textbook Question
Cancer patients being treated with chemotherapeutic drugs designed to destroy rapidly dividing cells are monitored closely for changes in their red and white blood counts. Why so?
Ch. 17 Blood
Marieb, Hoehn11th EditionHuman Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780136874034
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Table of contents
- Ch. 1 The Human Body: An Orientation24
- Ch. 2 Chemistry Comes Alive25
- Ch. 3 Cells: The Living Units21
- Ch. 4 Tissue: The Living Fabric20
- Ch. 5 The Integumentary System11
- Ch. 6 Bones and Skeletal Tissues19
- Ch. 7 The Skeleton14
- Ch. 8 Joints7
- Ch. 9 Muscles and Muscle Tissue26
- Ch. 10 The Muscular System26
- Ch. 11 Fundamentals of the Nervous System and Nervous Tissue19
- Ch. 12 The Central Nervous System26
- Ch. 13 The Peripheral Nervous System and Reflex Activity32
- Ch. 14 The Autonomic Nervous System19
- Ch. 15 The Special Senses26
- Ch. 16 The Endocrine System23
- Ch. 17 Blood25
- Ch. 18 The Cardiovascular System: The Heart24
- Ch. 19 The Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels27
- Ch. 20 The Lymphatic System and Lymphoid Organs and Tissues14
- Ch. 21 The Immune System: Innate and Adaptive Body Defenses27
- Ch. 22 The Respiratory System21
- Ch. 23 The Digestive System31
- Ch. 24 Nutrition, Metabolism, and Energy Balance26
- Ch. 25 The Urinary System26
- Ch. 26 Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance24
- Ch. 27 The Reproductive System24
- Ch. 28 Pregnancy and Human Development25
- Ch. 29 Heredity11
Marieb, Hoehn11th EditionHuman Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780136874034Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 17, Problem 26
A reticulocyte count indicated that 5% of Tyler's red blood cells were reticulocytes. His blood test also indicated he had polycythemia and a hematocrit of 65%. Explain the connection between these three facts.
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Understand the terms involved. A reticulocyte is an immature red blood cell (RBC) recently released from the bone marrow. The reticulocyte count indicates the percentage of these young RBCs in the bloodstream, reflecting bone marrow activity.
Step 2: Recognize that a normal reticulocyte count typically ranges from about 0.5% to 2.5%. A count of 5% suggests an increased production of RBCs by the bone marrow, often in response to a need for more oxygen-carrying cells.
Step 3: Polycythemia is a condition characterized by an abnormally high concentration of red blood cells in the blood. This is consistent with the hematocrit value, which measures the percentage of blood volume occupied by RBCs. A hematocrit of 65% is significantly elevated (normal is roughly 40-50%), confirming polycythemia.
Step 4: Connect the facts: The elevated reticulocyte count indicates that Tyler's bone marrow is producing and releasing more RBCs, which leads to an increased number of circulating RBCs, causing polycythemia and a high hematocrit.
Step 5: Summarize the physiological relationship: Tyler's body is likely responding to a stimulus (such as hypoxia or another cause) by increasing erythropoiesis, resulting in more reticulocytes entering the bloodstream, which raises the total RBC count and hematocrit, manifesting as polycythemia.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Reticulocyte Count
Reticulocytes are immature red blood cells recently released from the bone marrow. The reticulocyte count measures the percentage of these cells in the blood, indicating the rate of red blood cell production. A higher count suggests increased bone marrow activity, often in response to anemia or blood loss.
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Polycythemia
Polycythemia is a condition characterized by an abnormally high concentration of red blood cells in the blood. This increases blood viscosity and hematocrit levels, which can lead to complications like clotting. It can be primary (due to bone marrow disorders) or secondary (due to increased erythropoietin from hypoxia).
Hematocrit
Hematocrit is the percentage of blood volume occupied by red blood cells. A normal range is about 40-50%, so a hematocrit of 65% indicates a high red blood cell concentration, consistent with polycythemia. It reflects the oxygen-carrying capacity and blood viscosity.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
Define hemostasis
List the three major phases of coagulation. Explain what initiates each phase and what the phase accomplishes
In what general way do the intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms of clotting differ?
Which ion is essential to virtually all stages of coagulation?
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Textbook Question
Amanda Healy, a young woman with severe vaginal bleeding, is admitted to the emergency room. She is three months pregnant, and the physician is concerned about the volume of blood she is losing.
What type of transfusion will probably be given to this patient?
Which blood tests will be performed before starting the transfusion?
Textbook Question
Mr. Chu has been scheduled for surgery to have his arthritic hip replaced. His surgeon tells him he must switch from aspirin to acetaminophen for pain control before his surgery. Why?
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