Cancer patients being treated with chemotherapeutic drugs designed to destroy rapidly dividing cells are monitored closely for changes in their red and white blood cell counts. Why so?
A middle-aged college professor from Boston is in the Swiss Alps studying astronomy during his sabbatical leave. He has been there for 2 days and plans to stay the entire year. However, he notices that he is short of breath when he walks up steps and tires easily with any physical activity. His symptoms gradually disappear and after two months, he feels fine. Upon returning to the United States, he has a complete physical exam and is told that his erythrocyte count is higher than normal. A) Attempt to explain this finding. B) Will his RBC remain at this higher-than-normal level? Why or why not?
A young child is diagnosed as having acute lymphocytic leukemia. Her parents can not understand why infection is a major problem when her WBC is so high. Can you provide an explanation for Janie’s parents?
Mrs. Ryan, a middle-aged woman, appears are the clinic complaining of multiple small hemorrhaged spots in her skin and severe epistaxis (nose bleeds). While taking her history, the nurse notes than Mrs. Ryan is taking apronal (a sleeping medication), because she has problems getting to sleep at night. This drug is known to be toxic to red marrow. Using your knowledge of physiology, explain the connection between the bleeding problems and the taking of apronal.
A reticulocyte count (used often to indicate the rate of RBC formation) indicated that 5% of Tyler’s red blood cells were reticulocytes. His blood test also indicated he had polycythemia and a hemotocrit of 65%. Explain the connection between these three facts.