Anemia Review - Dr. Johns Flashcards
1
Q
When might you see an increased reticulocyte count?
A
With blood loss and hemolytic processes (although 25% of hemolytic anemias will present with normal retic counts)
2
Q
When are retic counts most helpful?
A
when they’re extremely low (less than .1%) or greater than 3%
3
Q
For a reticulocyte to be useful, what do you have to adjust for?
A
the patient’s hematocrit - if the hematocrit is lower, the reticulocytes are released earlier from the marrow
4
Q
How do you tell red cell size?
A
Mean corpuscular volume
5
Q
What is sideroblastic anemia?
A
it’s a group of anemias defined by the presence of ringed sideroblasts in the blood smear
6
Q
Is anemia a sign or disease?
A
sign
7
Q
Is it ever normal to be anemia?
A
no
