Lewis: Medical-Surgical Nursing, 10th Edition

Chapter 29

Assessment of Hematologic System

KEY POINTS

STRUCTURES AND FUNCTIONS OF HEMATOLOGIC SYSTEM

 Hematology is the study of blood and blood-forming tissues. This includes the bone
marrow, blood, spleen, and lymph system.
 Blood cell production (hematopoiesis) occurs within the bone marrow. Bone marrow is
the soft material that fills the central core of bones.
 Blood is a type of connective tissue that performs three major functions: transportation,
regulation, and protection. There are two major components to blood: plasma and blood
cells.
 Plasma is composed primarily of water, but it also contains proteins, electrolytes, gases,
nutrients, and waste.
 There are three types of blood cells: erythrocytes (RBCs), leukocytes (WBCs), and
thrombocytes (platelets).
 Erythrocytes are primarily composed of large molecules called hemoglobin. Hemoglobin,
a complex protein-iron compound composed of heme (an iron compound) and globin (a
simple protein), binds with O2 and CO2.
 Leukocytes (WBCs) appear white when separated from blood. There are five different
types of leukocytes, each of which has a different function.
o Granulocytes: The primary function of the granulocytes is phagocytosis, a
process by which WBCs engulf any unwanted organism and then digest and kill
it. The neutrophil is the most common type of granulocyte.
o Lymphocytes: The main function of lymphocytes is related to the immune
response. Lymphocytes form the basis of the cellular and humoral immune
responses.
o Monocytes: Monocytes are phagocytic cells. They can engulf small or large
masses of matter, such as bacteria, dead cells, tissue debris, and old or defective
RBCs.
 The primary function of thrombocytes, or platelets, is to initiate the clotting process by
producing an initial platelet plug in the early phases of the clotting process.
 Hemostasis is a term used to describe the blood clotting process. This process is
important in minimizing blood loss when various body structures are injured.
 The sequence of events in hemostasis includes (1) vascular injury and subendothelial
exposure, (2) adhesion, (3) activation, (4) aggregation, (5) platelet plug formation, and
(6) clot retraction and dissolution.
 The spleen, which is located in the upper left quadrant of the abdomen, has four major
functions: hematopoiesis, filtration, immunologic role, and storage.
  The lymph system—consisting of lymph fluid, lymphatic capillaries, ducts, and lymph
nodes—carries fluid from the interstitial spaces to the blood.

GERONTOLOGIC CONSIDERATIONS: EFFECTS OF AGING ON HEMATOLOGIC

SYSTEM
 Hemoglobin levels may begin to decrease in both men and women after middle age. The
osmotic fragility of RBCs is increased in the older person.
 The total WBC count and differential are generally not affected by aging. However, a
decrease in humoral antibody response and decrease in T-cell function may occur.

ASSESSMENT OF HEMATOLOGIC SYSTEM

 A health history of the hematopoietic system consists of demographic data, current
health, past health history, past and current use of medications, surgical history, use of
herbs and nutritional supplements, family health history, and review of systems using
functional health patterns.
 A complete physical examination is necessary to accurately examine all systems that
affect or are affected by the hematologic system, depending on the nature of the patient’s
problem, including an assessment of lymph nodes, liver, spleen, and skin.

DIAGNOSTIC STUDIES OF HEMATOLOGIC SYSTEM

 The most direct means of evaluating the hematologic system is through laboratory
analysis and other diagnostic studies.
 The complete blood count (CBC) involves several laboratory tests, each of which
assesses the three major blood cells formed in the bone marrow. The differential WBC
count identifies the percentage of different types of WBC in the circulating blood.
 Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR, or “sed rate”) measures the sedimentation or
settling of RBCs and is used as a nonspecific measure of many diseases, especially
inflammatory conditions.
 The laboratory tests used in evaluating iron metabolism and differentiating anemias
include measuring serum levels of iron, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), serum
ferritin, and transferrin saturation.
 Radiologic studies for the hematology system involve primarily the use of CT, positron
emission tomography (PET), or MRI for evaluating normal tissue versus malignancies.
 Bone marrow examination is important in the evaluation of many hematologic disorders.
The examination of the marrow may involve aspiration only or aspiration with biopsy.
After a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy, the site must be assessed frequently on the
day of the procedure and for several days thereafter. Patients can experience some
discomfort or pain and can require a mild analgesic.
 Lymph node biopsy involves obtaining lymph tissue for histologic examination to
determine the diagnosis and to help for planning therapy.
 Testing for specific genetic or chromosomal variations in hematologic conditions is often
helpful in assisting in diagnosis and staging. These results also help to determine the
treatment options and prognosis.