Anemia

Question 1

Anemia

Answer 1

• lack of normally formed and properly functioning RBCs

- impairs the bodies ability to oxygenate tissues

Question 2

Hemoglobin

Answer 2

• protein that binds oxygen in the RBC

- low values will indicate anemia (<37g/dL)

Question 3

Hematocrit

Answer 3

• measure of the volume of total blood made up by RBC (%)

Question 4

Red blood cell Count

Answer 4

• number of RBC in a given volume (# per mm3)

Question 5

Mean Corpuscular Volume

Answer 5

• average volume of a RBC (measured in fL)

- will indicate the size of the RBC

Question 6

Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin

Answer 6

• mass of the Hemoglobin within each RBC (pg)

Question 7

Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration

Answer 7

• concentration of hemoglobin in a volume of RBCs (g/dL)

- will indicate the chromicity of the RBCs

Question 8

Reticulocyte count

Answer 8

• amount of reticulocytes in the blood
• immature erythrocytes
• can show the replacement of new blood

Question 9

Anisocytosis

Answer 9

• RBCs that are not the same size

Question 10

Poikilocytosis

Answer 10

• misshapen RBCs

Question 11

Polychromasia

Answer 11

• multiple color patterns within cell

- indicates younger cells

Question 12

Hypochromia

Answer 12

• cells will have less color

Question 13

Microcytic

Answer 13

• small cells

- decreased levels of MCV

Question 14

Macrocytic

Answer 14

• large cells

- elevated MCV level

Question 15

What are the causes of microcytic anemia?

Answer 15

• Abnormalities of iron metabolism (majority)
• Abnormalities of globin metabolism
• Abnormalities of porphyrin metabolism

Question 16

What are some types of abnormalities of iron metabolism?

Answer 16

• inadequate iron intake
• chronic blood loss
• anemia of chronic disease - (30% are microcytic) impaired iron flow into RBC, decreased RBC, in sufficient erythropoietin

Question 17

What are some types of globin synthesis?

Answer 17

• thalassemias

- hemoglobin E

Question 18

What are some types of porphyrin synthesis?

Answer 18

• lead intoxication

- sideroblastic anemias

Question 19

Ferritin

Answer 19

• storage form of iron
• when low indicates iron deficiency
• is either normal or increased in anemia’s of chronic disease

Question 20

In what situations may ferritin levels be falsely elevated?

Answer 20

• chronic diseases
• surgical procedures
• febrile illnesses
• liver necrosis

Question 21

What are some characteristics of serum iron levels?

Answer 21

• has diurnal variation (highest in morning)

- decreases indicate anemia in both chronic disease and iron deficiency

Question 22

What are the characteristics of iron binding capacity?

Answer 22

• amount of iron binding to hemeoglobin
• decreases are result of chronic diseases
• increases are result of iron deficiency

Question 23

What are the causes of normocytic Anemia?

Answer 23

• chronic disease (majority)
• acute blood loss
• marrow replacement
• aplastic anemia
• renal failure
• hemolytic anemia

Question 24

What are disorders associated with normocytic anemia and an increased reticulocyte count?

Answer 24

• acute blood loss

- hemolytic anemia

Question 25

What are disorders associated with normocytic anemia and a normal/decreased reticulocyte count?

Answer 25

• anemia of chronic disease
• renal failure
• aplastic anemia
• cancer

Question 26

What are the two types of macrocytic anemia?

Answer 26

• megaloblastic

- non-megaloblastic

Question 27

What are the causes of a megaloblastic anemia?

Answer 27

• folate or B12 deficiency
• inherited disorders
• drug induced (antiretrovirals and immunosuppressants)

Question 28

What are the causes of non-megaloblastic anemia?

Answer 28

• liver disease

- hypothyroidism