Exam will cover Modules 4 – 6 (Heme/Onc, Neuro and Cardiac)
For Patho: Please be sure you understand the A&P. Always know what is normal so you can understand
when something is abnormal. For all patho, review risk factors, signs and symptoms, diagnostics,
assessment data / labs. All disorders / diseases will be listed in the vocab list below.
For all Pharm: Please know the class and prototype given. I may list additional meds in a class below, so
be familiar with those as well. Know the MOA, the reason for giving, what are the intended /
therapeutic effects, what are the side effects, are there any contraindications, are there any drug-drug
interactions, and what is the nursing management? Be familiar with the trade and generic name of a
med.
VOCAB LIST: These are concepts, diseases, medications, etc., that you may or will see on the
exam. Please see above for details regarding patho and pharm specifics.
PATHO
Hematopoiesis – the formation of RBCs
Anemia – disorder with too few or ineffective RBCs (result of aleration of erythropoiesis or hemolysis of
cells) Classified based on size of RBCs or underlying etiology
Cytic – classification – refers to cell size
Chromic – classification – refers to cell Hgb content
Microcytic – abnormally small RBCs [ex. = iron deficiency and thalassemia (lacks one of the 2
proteins that make up hemoglobin)]
Also usually hypochromic – Not enough hemoglobin to carry the oxygen
Macrocytic – Large, thick RBCs, AKA Megaloblastic, normal amount of Hgb – vitamin B12 or
folate deficient
Pernicious – subtype of Vitamin B12 deficiency
Normocytic – insufficient number of RBCs – normal in size and Hgb content
Anemia of chronic disease – inflammation
Aplastic – failure to produce all types of blood cells
Hemolytic – result from excessive destruction or hemolysis of RBCs [ex. Sickle cell, thalassemia]
Sickle cell – RBCs have an abnormal crescent shape
Key factors of making healthy RBCs = enough iron (form hemoglobin rings to carry oxygen), B12 and Folic
Acid (form supporting structure), Amino acids and carbohydrates (complete hemoglobin rings, cell
membrane, and basic structure)
White Blood Cells = Neutrophil, eosinophil, basophil, monocyte, lymphocyte
, WBC disorders: (normal range is 5k-10k cells/mL)
Leukocytosis: a state of increased WBC, usually indicates infectious process
Leukocytopenia: a state of decreased WBC, indicate immune deficiency, bone marrow
suppression
Neutropenia: decreased neutrophil count, makes body poorly equipped to fight infection
WBC diseases:
Lymphomas – Proliferation of lymphocytes in lymphoid tissue
Hodgkin’s lymphoma = T-cell
Non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL) – 40 types – B or T cells (80/20%)
Leukemias (myeloid or lymphoid) – risk factors = exposure to chemicals, viral, radiation
mutagens, smoking, immunodeficiency disorders
Acute: Immature cells, Onset abrupt and rapid, Short survival time of patients, but
improving
Chronic: Mature in appearance but does not function normally, Gradual onset, Good
survival
Multiple Myeloma - excessive number of abnormal plasma cells in the bone marrow, crowds
blood forming cells.
Bleeding disorders:
Hemophilia A – Deficiency or abnormality of clotting factor 8 (VIII)
Aplastic Anemia (Pancytopenia) – Does not produce WBCs, RBCs, or Thrombocytecs (may be
caused by cancer, autoimmune, tonxins, genetics, etc.)
Cancer – causes many bleeding disorders
Hemoglobin – protein contained in red blood cells that is responsible for delivery of oxygen to the
tissues
Normal ranges = men 14 to 18 g/dl, women 12 to 16 g/dl.
Hematocrit - measures the volume of red blood cells compared to the total blood volume (red blood
cells and plasma).
Normal hematocrit ranges = men 40 to 54%, women 36 to 48%.
Erythropoiesis – production of RBCs, stimulated by erythropoeitin, stimulating agents = Epoetin Alfa
(Epogen or Procrit), Darbepoetin Alfa (Aranesp)
Made in kidney in response to hypoxia
Colony stimulating factors: