Hematology Flashcards
What is the normal range for MCV?
80-100
What is the most common microcytic anemia?
Iron deficiency anemia
Would anemia of chronic disease most likely be macrocytic, normocytic or microcytic?
Normocytic
What two main causes should you be thinking of in a macrocytic anemia?
Malnutrition and severe blood loss
Does an increase in reticulocytes indicate a decrease or an increase in RBC production?
An increase, reticulocytes are newly released “baby” RBC’s
Auer rods are most commonly associated with what disease?
Acute myeloid leukemia
What molecule binds iron in the blood stream?
Transferrin
What does koilonychia refer to?
Spoon-shaped nails which may be found in microcytic anemia.
Will the serum ferritin be high or low in a patient with iron deficient anemia?
It will almost always be low.
A low retic count and a normal serum ferritin should make you think of what diagnosis?
Anemia of chronic disease
Under normal conditions at what hemoglobin level would you begin to consider a transfusion?
7
Asplenism secondary to sickle cell disease increases a patient’s risk for what type of infections?
Capsulated organisms like Strep pneumo and H. flu
An African American teenager presents with avascular necrosis of the his right femoral head. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Sickle cell disease
How do you treat a sickle cell crisis?
- Fluids,
- Oxygen,
- Pain medication,
- Transfusion may be necessary
Will unconjugated bilirubin be high or low in a patient with sickle cell disease?
High
Which anemia should you think of if you see the term Howell-Jolly bodies?
Sickle cell due to the functional asplenia, but it may also show up in folic acid deficiency.
G6PD deficiency follows what pattern of inheritance?
X- linked
List the three diagnosis you should be thinking of if a question includes Heinz bodies.
- G6PD deficiency anemia,
- Chronic liver disease,
- Alpha thalassemia
What is pica?
Eating non-food items including ice, paper, dirt, hair.
Are target cells seen in mild or severe iron deficiency anemia?
Severe
They are also seen in
- Alpha thalassemia,
- Chronic liver disease
- Asplenia.
Iron deficiency anemia will have a serum iron lower than what value?
30
Would a B12 deficiency anemia most likely be microcytic, normocytic or macrocytic?
Macrocytic
You should be thinking alpha thalassemia if the question stem includes which four geographic areas?
- Southeast Asia,
- China,
- Middle East,
- Africa
A patient of Mediterranean descent is a clue for which type of anemia?
Beta thalassemia
In a folic acid deficiency anemia the folic acid level is typically below what level?
<150
What hematological disorder should you think of if the questions talks about the patient eating ice or dirt?
Iron deficiency anemia
Inability to absorb vitamin B12 due to lack of intrinsic factor is what disease?
Pernicious anemia
Stocking glove paresthesias should make you think of what two diagnoses?
B12 deficiency neuropathy and diabetic neuropathy
Will the RBC’s be large, small or normal size in a B12 deficient anemia?
Macrocytes
Will the retic count be elevated, decreased or normal in a B12 deficient anemia?
Retic count will be low. Low building blocks means low production.
What is Schilling’s test used for?
Test for the cause of a B12 deficiency.
Strict vegans are at risk for what type of anemia?
B12 deficiency anemia
Is sickle cell microcytic, macrocytic or normocytic?
Microcytic
Will a hemolytic anemia generally have an elevated or decreased retic count?
Elevated
List four disease states in which you may find basophilic stippling.
- Lead poisoning,
- beta or alpha thalassemia,
- Sideroblastic anemia,
- Arsenic poisoning
If a question presents a pregnant woman with anemia what is the most likely diagnosis?
Iron deficiency
The term Philadelphia chromosome should make you think of what diagnosis?
Chronic myeloid leukemia
