Whole Blood and Hemostasis

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Course Objectives

Explain how circulation and the components of whole blood support oxygen transport, immune defense, and bleeding control.
Differentiate plasma from serum and explain the significance of blood pH and ABO/Rh compatibility in laboratory testing.
Apply knowledge of hemostasis and factors affecting clot formation to safe blood collection and postcollection care.

Course Content

Course Creator: Kristen Moylen

Total CE Hours: 1 Credit Hour

Pace Course #: 586-2805-26

Outline:

I. The circulatory system

Functions
Heart chambers and valves
Blood flow
Blood vessels

II.Components of whole blood

Plasma
Serum
Red blood cells
White blood cells
Platelets

III.White blood cells

Five major types
Functions
White blood cell differential

IV. Blood pH

Normal arterial range
Processes that alter acid–base balance

V. Blood compatibility

ABO groups
Rh factor
Transfusion safety

VI. Hemostasis

Vascular response
Platelet plug formation
Coagulation
Fibrinolysis

VII. Collection considerations

Specimen requirements
Medication effects
Persistent bleeding
Communication within the phlebotomist’s role

References:

Anderson, G. (2022). A fundamental guide to phlebotomy: A competency-based approach (E. Kammer Eaton, Ed.; 1st ed.). National Healthcare Certification Organization.
Cleveland Clinic. (2021, July 9). Blood vessels. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21640-blood-vessels
Lodge, A. (2022, September 20). Ask a scientist: What’s the difference between serum and plasma? Charles River. https://www.criver.com/eureka/ask-scientist-whats-difference-between-serum-and-plasma
Oncquest Laboratories. (2024, January 30). Difference between blood plasma and serum. https://oncquestlabs.com/blog/difference-between-blood-plasma-and-serum/
Gotwals, J., Karlin, R., & Gersten, T. (n.d.). What is plasma? University of Rochester Medical Center. https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=160&ContentID=37
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Fibrinogen. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fibrinogen
Cleveland Clinic Medical Review Board. (2022, June 20). Lymphocytes. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/23342-lymphocytes
Daniels, L., & Sullivan, D. (2020, May 22). pH of blood: What to know. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/ph-of-blood#changes
Srakocic, S., & Henigsman, S. (2023, May 4). pH imbalance in the body: Symptoms, causes, treatments. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/ph-imbalance#risk-factors
Cleveland Clinic Medical Review Board. (2023, March 14). Blood types. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21213-blood-types
American Red Cross. (n.d.). Blood types. https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/blood-types.html
Elfein, J. (2024, January 11). Blood type distribution U.S. 2023. Statista. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1112664/blood-type-distribution-us/
Cleveland Clinic Medical Review Board. (n.d.). Rh factor. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21053-rh-factor
LaPelusa, A., & Dave, H. (2024, January). Physiology, hemostasis. StatPearls Publishing. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31424847/
Kaur, J., & Jain, A. (2023, May 8). Fibrinogen. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537184/