11b. Hematology

Question 1

Anemia with increased reticulocyte count?

Answer 1

Problem is outside the marrow - the marrow is doing what it should be doing

Question 2

How long does it take to elevate reticulocyte count?

Answer 2

3-4 days so you won’t get it in acute hemorrhage

Question 3

How do we correct reticulocyte count for degree of anemia?

Answer 3

Hct/45 x reticulocyte count (more than 3% is a good response)

Question 4

What does polychromasia mean?

Answer 4

You have to divide a corrected reticulocyte count by 2 because polychromasia is an indicator of even more immature forms of RBC’s which take 2-3 days to mature (longer than the 24 hours of a reticulocyte - which we don’t want to count)

Question 5

How do we get Hct from Hgb?

Answer 5

Roughly Hgb x 3 = Hct

Question 6

For every unit of packed RBC’s, how does this affect Hct and Hgb?

Answer 6

Hct up by 3% and Hgb by 1 for each pack

Question 7

What is the most common cause of anemia?

Answer 7

GI bleed

Question 8

Spherocyte vs. target cell?

Answer 8

Spherocyte - not enough membrane (can’t hold the biconcave shape) vs. target cell - too much membrane (bulges out from the middle and Hgb accumulates)