5.4 - Normocytic anemia

Question 1

what lab value helps differentiate between normocytic anemias that are due to either increased peripheral destruction or underproduction?

Answer 1

reticulocyte count

Question 2

what is the normal reticulocyte count?

Answer 2

1-2%

Question 3

a properly functioning marrow responds to anemia by increased RC to at least _____%

Answer 3

3%

Question 4

why is the reticulocyte count falsely elevated in anemia?

Answer 4

there are fewer RBCs, but the marrow is still making the same amount of reticulocytes

Question 5

how is RC corrected in anemia? what indicates good marrow response? poor response? what do each of these mean?

Answer 5

• multiply RC by Hct/45
• good response: corrected count is over 3% (peripheral destruction)
• poor response: corrected count is still under 3% (underproduction)

Question 6

in intravascular hemolysis, serum haptoglobin will be _____________ (increased / decreased)

Answer 6

decreased