Blood
Blood is a red liquid that is thicker than water but thinner than ketchup, whose main role is to be drawn by phlebotomists daily so that doctors can transfuse patients later for anemia.
Function
When not being drawn into tubes or leaking out of human orifices thanks to Coumadin, the role of blood is to transport oxygen, gravy, and Dilaudid to all cells of the body.[1] During the Olympics, blood can be used in lieu of water in swimming pools.[2]
Composition
Blood is made up of plasma (water, other proteins, fat, more fat, and lard) and blood cells (such as red blood cells, white blood cells, and blue blood cells in Americans). Blood navigates the arteries, veins, capillaries, and organs of the human body with the assistance of Google Maps or Uber. The pH of blood can range from 0 to infinity, but life is most compatible when it ranges between 7.35 and 7.45.
Monitoring
The best way to monitor blood counts is by checking a complete blood count (CBC) or the lesser useful incomplete blood count (IBC).[3] In the event the sample is hemolyzed, be sure to ask the lab nicely and it will spontaneously unhemolyze.[4]
Treatments
- Blood donation - Blood donation is always a benevolent act whereby a person donates blood in exchange for symptomatic anemia, only to be transfused with the blood they just donated. Donated blood is kept in a blood bank, which charges an APY of 1.05%.[5][6] For more information, see Blood Consent Form and Blood Types.
- Blood transfusion - Blood transfusion is the infusion of blood products in someone who is anemic due to blood loss, whether or not it is related to phlebotomy or yanking out one's Foley catheter out of curiosity.[7] A current hot topic in medicine is at what hemoglobin threshold to initiate transfusion. Several strategies include liberal transfusion strategies (transfuse for Hgb < 10), restrictive transfusion strategies (transfuse for Hgb < 8), or really restrictive transfusion strategies (transfuse for a Hgb < 0). For more information, see TRICC Trial.
- Bloodletting - It is a common misconception that bloodletting is rarely used in modern medicine, with exception of the management of hemochromatosis and polycythemia. However, bloodletting is performed everyday in clinics and hospitals nationwide under the term "phlebotomy."
Differential Diagnosis for Red Liquid
See What is the differential diagnosis for red liquid in a canister?
Related Reading
- All the President's Menses
- American Red Cross
- American Society of Hematology
- Arixtra (Fondaparinux)
- Blood on the TP (Album)
- Blood Draw
- Blood Pressures (Album)
- Blood Thinner
- Bloodletting
- BRBPR
- Frank Blood
- Januvia's Witness
- Nosebleed
- Paper Cut
- Raining Blood (Song)
- Transfusing Sarah Marshall
References
- ↑ CDC Issues Blood Gravy Content Chart for Thanksgiving (Gomerblog)
- ↑ Olympic Officials Apologize for Pools Filled with Blood (Gomerblog)
- ↑ CBC to be Replaced by Cheaper Incomplete Blood Count (Gomerblog)
- ↑ Blood Sample Spontaneously Unhemolyzes Because Nurse Asks Nicely (Gomerblog)
- ↑ Blood Bank to Require More Paperwork, First-Born Child to Release Blood Products (Gomerblog)
- ↑ 1 in 4 Americans Have No Emergency Savings in Their Blood Banks (Gomerblog)
- ↑ Patient Can’t Wait to Yank Out Foley, Cause Bloodbath (Gomerblog)
|
Fun Stuff
|
