EXAM #1: CLINICAL INTERPRETATION OF LAB EXAMS Flashcards
What is the definition of normocytic?
Normal MCV/ size
What is the definition of normochromic?
Normal concentration of Hb
What is the definition of anisocytosis?
Blood cells are of UNEQUAL size
What is the definition of poikilocytosis?
Abnormally shaped RBCs
What is the normal MCV of a RBC?
80-100 FL
What is the definition of macrocytic?
MCV greater than 100 FL
What is the definition of microcytic?
MCV than 80 FL
How are anemias classified?
1) Etiology
2) Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)
What are the three classifications of anemia based on MCV?
1) Microcytic
2) Macrocytic
3) Normocytic
What are the three classifications of anemia based on etiology?
1) Impaired RBC production
2) Increased RBC destruction
3) Blood loss*****
What is the first lab test to order in a patient with suspected anemia?
CBC, Complete Blood Count
What are the elements of a CBC?
1) Hb= Hemoglobin
2) Hct= Hematocrit
3) PCV= Packed Cell Volume
4) RBC count
5) RBC indices
6) RDW= Red Cell Distribution Width
7) WBC count
- TLC= Total Leukocyte Count
- Diff= differential leukocyte count
8) Platelet count
9) PBS= Peripheral Blood Smear
What are the three RBC indices?
1) MCV= Mean Corpuscular Volume*****
2) MCH= Mean Corpusular Hemoglobin
3) MCHC= Mean Corupusuclar Hemoglobin COncentration
This is the most important value in differentiating anemias
What additional lab values would help to differentiate anemias secondary to a CBC?
1) Reticulocyte count
2) ESR= erythrocyte sedimentation rate
3) Bone marrow exam
What is the normal leukocyte differentiation?
Neutrophil= 50% - 74% Lymphocyte= 26% - 46% Monocyte= 2 - 12% Eosinophil= 0.0 - 5.0% Basophil= 0.0 - 2.0%
What is a reticulocyte count?
- Reticulocytes are precursors to RBCs –this is a count of reticulocytes
- Used to determine the efficacy of erythropoiesis
What is the utility of the ESR?
Elevation indicates an underlying inflammation/ organic disease
What does an elevated reticulocyte count indicate? What is a normal retic count?
Anemia
Note that normal is 0.5-1.5%*