Fundamentals of Hemostasis

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Author: Carl T. Swithers, MLS(ASCP), MBA
Reviewers: Laurie Bjerklie, MA, MLS(ASCP)CM and Margaret Reinhart, MS, MLS(ASCP)

This course identifies and discusses the aspects of primary and secondary hemostasis. The extrinsic, intrinsic, and common pathways that are part of the coagulation cascade are defined, and the various laboratory tests that are used to evaluate hemostasis are discussed.

Continuing Education Credits

Objectives

  • Identify the factors that influence the effectiveness of hemostatic processes.
  • Describe the mechanisms that are involved in the arrest of blood flow from a damaged vessel.
  • Identify key aspects associated with primary and secondary hemostasis.
  • Explain the role of various coagulation components in hemostatic processes.
  • Define the extrinsic, intrinsic, and common pathways that are part of the coagulation cascade, identifying the coagulation factors that are associated with each pathway.
  • Describe the function of various laboratory tests in evaluating hemostasis.
  • Identify common coagulation disorders, their symptomology, and subsequent treatment.
  • Explain the role of the prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time in monitoring anticoagulation therapy.

Course Outline

  • Fundamentals of Hemostasis
      • Introduction to the Fundamentals of Hemostasis
      • Introduction to the Fundamentals of Hemostasis, continued
      • Which of the following would not impact the effectiveness of hemostatic processes?
      • Which of the following best represents the quantity of resultant bleed from smallest to largest? (Assuming identical trauma)
    • Introduction to Primary Hemostasis
      • Introduction to Primary Hemostasis
      • The Vascular System
      • Vasoconstriction
      • Rerouting of the Blood Flow
      • Platelet Aggregation
      • All of the following processes occur during primary hemostasis except:
      • Characteristics of the Platelet
      • Platelet Function
      • Platelet Kinetics
      • All of the following are activities associated with platelets except:
      • Summary of Primary Hemostasis
    • Overview of Secondary Hemostasis
      • Overview of Secondary Hemostasis
      • Fibrin Formation via the Coagulation Cascade
      • Coagulation Cascade
      • The ultimate goal of secondary hemostasis is:
      • Snapshot of the Entire Coagulation Cascade
      • Extrinsic Pathway
      • Extrinsic Pathway, continued
      • Intrinsic Pathway
      • Intrinsic Pathway, continued
      • Which of the following statements is incorrect?
      • Common Pathway
      • Common Pathway, continued
      • Table 1: Factor Characteristics
    • Fibrinolytic System
      • Fibrinolytic System
      • Fibrinolytic System, continued
    • Laboratory Tests of Hemostatic Function
      • Collecting Blood Specimens for Coagulation Testing
      • Basic Laboratory Tests of Hemostatic Function
      • Prothrombin Time
      • Prothrombin Time, continued
      • Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time
      • Which of the following statements is incorrect?
      • Fibrinogen Assay
      • Fibrin/Fibrinogen Degradation Products and D-dimers
      • Platelet Function Assay
      • Mixing Studies
      • Factor Assays
      • Which of the following statements is accurate?
    • Coagulation Disorders
      • Coagulation Disorders
      • Inherited Coagulation Disorders
      • Inherited Coagulation Disorders, continued
      • Inherited Coagulation Disorders, continued
      • Acquired Coagulation Disorders
      • Acquired Coagulation Disorders, continued
      • Platelet Disorders
      • Coagulation Disorders and Liver Disease
      • Which of the following statements regarding coagulation disorders is incorrect?
    • Anticoagulation Therapy
      • Anticoagulation Therapy
      • Heparin Therapy
      • Oral Anticoagulant Therapy
  • References
      • References

Additional Information

Level of Instruction: Intermediate
Intended Audience: Medical laboratory scientists and medical laboratory technicians. This course is also appropriate for MLS and MLT students and pathology residents.
Author Information: Carl T. Swithers, MLS(ASCP), MBA, is a laboratory examiner with the Pennsylvania Department of Health, specializing in clinical regulatory compliance. A former generalist bench technologist, he also serves as adjunct faculty for an MLT program in Central Pennsylvania.
Reviewer Information:
Laurie Bjerklie, MA, MLS(ASCP)CM, is an Education Developer for MediaLab and LabCE. She earned a B.S. in Medical Laboratory Science from the University of North Dakota and an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from Saint Xavier University. She has over 15 years of experience in higher education and has held program director and faculty positions in both MLT and MLS programs.
Margaret Reinhart, MS, MLS(ASCP), is a senior lecturer at the University of the Sciences, where she has taught Human Hematology since 1990. She was also director of the Medical Laboratory Science Program from 1990 to 2020. In addition, she is an adjunct instructor of Hematology at the Pennsylvania Hospital Medical Laboratory Science program, which is part of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

This course is part of:
Compliance & CE
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