Anatomy subcategory
Haematology and Blood Film
Mnemonics for full blood count, blood film, coagulation and haematinics.
Entries in Haematology and Blood Film
Microcytic, normocytic and macrocytic, each with a short differential
A memory aid for classifying anaemia by red cell size.
Serum levels, then the metabolites, then the cause
A memory aid for investigating suspected B12 and folate deficiency.
Each morphological abnormality points to a specific diagnosis
A memory aid for the diagnostic features on a blood film.
Reduced production, increased destruction, sequestration or spurious
A memory aid for classifying a low platelet count.
PT tests the extrinsic pathway, APTT the intrinsic, both the common
A memory aid for interpreting prothrombin time and APTT together.
Extrinsic measured by prothrombin time, intrinsic by APTT
A memory aid for the intrinsic, extrinsic and common coagulation pathways.
A rule out test only, applied after a clinical probability score
A memory aid for when a D-dimer is useful and when it is not.
Direct detects antibody on the cells, indirect detects antibody in the plasma
A memory aid for the Coombs tests and the causes of a positive result.
Widespread activation of coagulation consumes factors and platelets, causing both thrombosis and bleeding
A memory aid for the mechanism and results in DIC.
Biconcave anucleate discs with central pallor, and anucleate platelet fragments
A memory aid for the normal appearance of red cells and platelets.
CRP rises and falls fast; ESR is slow and influenced by many factors
A memory aid for choosing between the two inflammatory markers.
Three cell lines, then the indices, then the film
A memory aid for reading a full blood count systematically.
Group and save identifies the blood type; crossmatch reserves specific units
A memory aid for pre-transfusion testing and the safety rules.
Raised reticulocytes, bilirubin and LDH with low haptoglobin
A memory aid for the markers of haemolysis.
Ferritin low in deficiency, normal or high in chronic disease
A memory aid for distinguishing iron deficiency from anaemia of chronic disease.
CRAB: Calcium raised, Renal failure, Anaemia, Bone lesions
A mnemonic for the clinical features of multiple myeloma.
Factor V Leiden is commonest inherited; antiphospholipid syndrome commonest acquired
A memory aid for inherited and acquired thrombophilia.
Neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, monocytes and basophils
A memory aid for what each raised or low white cell line indicates.