Pediatric Blood Disorders and Hematology Flashcards

A child with leukemia has a platelet count of 10,000/mm³ and no active bleeding. Prophylactic platelet transfusion is typically indicated at this threshold to prevent:

Answer: Spontaneous hemorrhage

A platelet count below 10,000–20,000/mm³ is the threshold for prophylactic transfusion to prevent spontaneous life-threatening bleeding.

A child receiving hydroxyurea for sickle cell disease should have which monitoring performed regularly?

Answer: Complete blood count and reticulocyte count

Hydroxyurea suppresses bone marrow, so CBC and reticulocytes must be monitored regularly to detect myelosuppression and adjust dosing.

When irradiated blood products are ordered for a pediatric oncology patient, the PRIMARY reason is to prevent:

Answer: Transfusion-associated GVHD

Irradiation kills donor lymphocytes in blood products, preventing them from engrafting and attacking the immunocompromised recipient (TA-GVHD).

The nurse is caring for a child post-bone marrow transplant with a CMV-negative status. Which blood product should be ordered?

Answer: CMV-seronegative or leukoreduced blood products

CMV-seronegative or leukoreduced products reduce the risk of CMV transmission to CMV-negative immunocompromised patients.

A child with neutrophil count of 1,800/mm³ develops fever of 38.5°C. According to CPHON guidelines, this child:

Answer: Does not meet criteria for febrile neutropenia

Febrile neutropenia requires ANC below 500/mm³ (or below 1,000/mm³ and falling); an ANC of 1,800/mm³ does not meet the neutropenia threshold.

A child with hemophilia B is bleeding after a fall. The appropriate treatment is replacement with:

Answer: Factor IX concentrate

Hemophilia B is caused by deficiency of factor IX ('Christmas disease'); factor IX concentrate is the specific replacement therapy.