Anemias I

Question 1

Definition of Anemia

Answer 1

A decrease in the circulating red blood cell (RBC) mass

Question 2

Usual Criteria for anemia

(Men Hgb and HCT, Wonem Hhb and HCT)

Answer 2

Women: Hgb<12 g/dl, Hct<35%

Men: Hgb<14 g/dl

Question 3

The usual ratio of Hgb to Hct is

Answer 3

1:3

Question 4

Definition of hematocrit

Answer 4

The volume of packed RBCs

Question 5

Definition of hemoglobin

Answer 5

the molecule which binds and transports oxygen

Question 6

Constituents of hemoglobin

Answer 6

Heme: protoporphyrin and iron

Globin: the protein portion

Question 7

What is the lifespan of one meager red blood cell?

Answer 7

120 days

Question 8

What happens to “old RBCs”?

Answer 8

they are removed by the spleen

Question 9

What are the normal ranges for Hgb and Hct in males and females?

Answer 9

Hemoglobin:

male: 14-18 g/dl
female: 12-16 gdl

Hematocrit:

male: 40-50%
female: 35-45%

(but do note that these ranges can vary a bit from lab to lab)

Question 11

How is an RBC formed? (answer is looking for a series of steps)

Answer 11

most immature RBC is a pronormoblast

pronormoblast->nucleated RBCs->then the nucleus disintegrates forming the immature cell called the “reticulocyte”

reticulocytes are released into the bloodstream and mature into RBCs in 1-2 days

Question 12

What is the retic count?

Answer 12

an indication of RBC production

Question 14

How would one go about finding a retic count?

Answer 14

Rectics stain blue on smear

“Lots of blue means lots of new”

Question 15

Normal rectic count?

Answer 15

.5-2.5%

Question 16

What is polychromasia?

Answer 16

aka: reticulocytosis

(while nothing else is addressed on this slide’s test, it may be best to recall that polychromasia aka reticulocytosis refers to an overabundance or RBCs and there are generally 3 recognized forms.. may be addressed later?)

Question 17

What are 3 causes of anemia?

Answer 17

1. decreased RBC production (could be due to iron deficience, B12 or folate deficiency or chronic disease)
2. Increased RBC destruction (due to hemolysis)
3. Blood loss (menstural, GI bleeding, trauma)

Question 18

How is RBC size determined?

Answer 18

by viewing a peripheral blood smear under microscope

OR

by viewing a computerized value granted to you by a machine