Introduction to Hematology

You should know a little bit about how to approach a patient with a suspected hematologic disorder. These general tips will help you build a framework for the in-depth discussions of specific diseases we will cover later...and they will help you as you begin to take care of patients in your third and fourth years of medical school.

Clinical approach to patients with hematologic disorders.

What are some of the tip-offs that your patient may have a hematologic disorder? How should you direct your physical exam if you are concerned about a hematologic disorder?

Laboratory approach to patients with hematologic disorders.

What are the components of the complete blood count (CBC)? In plain English, what does each measure? Which components are most useful,

and why?

How to look at a blood smear.

What are the three big things to look at when faced with a blood smear?

In each of these three parts, what characteristics should you evaluate?

Check your knowledge

When you finish studying

this introductory section,

you should be able to:

□ List some of the signs

and symptoms of

hematologic disorders.

□ List the components of

the CBC, and describe

how each is used.

□ Look at a blood smear in

a systematic way.