NCLEX Review & Nursing School

The Hematologic system is mainly composed of blood and plasma.

The BLOOD is composed of several primary components

• RBC (RED BLOOD CELLS/ERYTHROCYTES)
• WBC (WHITE BLOOD CELLS/ ERYTHROCYTES
• PLATELETS (THROMBOCYTES)

The bone marrow, is the site where blood is usually regenerated, through Hematopoiesis.

CBC (COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT)

• RBC’S= 4.2-6.1 MIL G/DL
• HGB= 11.5- 17.5 G/DL
• HCT= 36%- 52%

Reasons for High and Low Values:

High values

Red blood cell (RBC)

Conditions that can cause high RBC values:
– Smoking
– Cancer
– Kidney Disease
– Polycythemia Vera
– Heart Disease

White blood cell (WBC, leukocyte)

Conditions that cause high WBC values:
– Infections *
– Leukemia
– Kidney Failure
– Lupus
– Use of coricosteroids *

Platelets

High platelet values can be caused by:
– Iron Deficiency
– Excessive Bleeding

Low values

Red blood cell (RBC)

– Anemia (diff. types)
– Addison’s Disease
– Inflammatory Bowel Disease
– Stomach Ulcers
– Colon Cancer

White blood cell (WBC, leukocyte)

– Cushing’s Syndrome
– Aplastic Anemia

Platelets

-Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)
– Pregnancy