Hematology for the AANP FNP exam

Topics in this chapter

• The anemia workup by red-cell sizeSort every anemia by red-cell size before you do anything else.
• Iron-deficiency anemia and reading iron studiesThe warehouse model makes the iron-studies fingerprint unmissable.
• Macrocytic anemia: B12 versus folateMacrocytic anemia plus neuro signs equals B12 until proven otherwise.
• Anemia of chronic disease and thalassemiaTwo microcytic mimics of iron deficiency, sorted by ferritin and TIBC.
• Sickle cell and G6PD deficiencyTwo inherited hemolysis setups: trait is not disease, and watch the oxidant trigger.
• Thrombocytopenia and leukemia/lymphoma red flagsThe HIT trap, the TTP emergency, and the lymph-node red flags.
• Basic coagulation tests: PT/INR versus PTTMatch the clotting test to the drug it monitors.
• Multiple myeloma and the lymphomasMultiple myeloma breaks bones and kidneys; lymphoma starts in the nodes. Learn the two fingerprints cold.
• Marrow failure: aplastic anemia and neutropeniaWhen the marrow stops making cells: pancytopenia in aplastic anemia, and the fever that turns low neutrophils into an emergency.
• Iron overload and erythrocytosisToo much iron stored (hemochromatosis) and too many red cells made (polycythemia vera). Both are diseases of excess, read the right labs.
• Bleeding disorders and acute blood-loss anemiaThe inherited bleeders, hemophilia and von Willebrand, sorted by the right clotting test, plus how acute blood loss fools the hemoglobin early.