15. Blood PROFESSIONAL ENGLISH IN USE FOR MEDICINE

PROFESSIONAL ENGLISH IN USE FOR MEDICINE

15. Blood

A	Full blood count In the investigation of blood diseases, the simplest test is a full blood count (FBC). A full blood count measures the following in a sample of blood: A the amount of haemoglobin B the number of the different cells – red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leucocytes) and platelets (thrombocytes) C the volume of the cells D the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) – a measurement of how quickly red blood cells fall to the bottom of a sample of blood.
B	Anaemia Anaemia is one of the commonest diseases of the blood. It may be due to: A bleeding – loss of blood B excessive destruction of red cells C low production, for example because the diet is lacking, or deficient in, iron (Fe). A medical student has examined an elderly patient with a very low level of haemoglobin and is discussing the case with her professor.
C	Pernicious anaemia Jordi Pons, the medical student from Barcelona, has made some language notes in his textbook. Pernicious anaemia (PA) is a condition in which there is atrophy of the gastric mucosa with consequent failure of intrinsic factor production and vitamin B12 malabsorption. The onset is insidious, with progressively increasing symptoms of anaemia. Patients are sometimes said to have a lemon-yellow colour owing to a combination of pallor and mild jaundice caused by excessive breakdown of haemoglobin because of ineffective red cell production in the bone marrow. A red sore tongue (glossitis) is sometimes present. Patients present with symmetrical paraesthesiae in the fingers and toes, early loss of vibration sense, and progressive weakness and ataxia. The spleen may be palpable.

15.1	Find words in the box with opposite meanings. Look at B and C opposite to help you.
15.2	Make word combinations using a word from each box. Look B and C above to help you.
15.3	Complete the sentences. Look at A, B and C above to help you. 1 A 39-year-old man presented with a history of ___________ abdominal distension over a period of six months. 2 Blindness may be caused by vitamin A ___________. 3 The bleeding and purpura are caused by abnormal ___________ function.
15.4	Complete the conversation. Look at C above to help you.

Answer key