Hematology Flashcards
What is the normal range for MCV?
80-100
What is the most common microcytic anemia?
Iron deficiency
Would anemia of chronic disease most likely be microcytic, normocytic or microcytic?
Normocytic
What 2 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 increase in RBC production?
Increase: reticulocytes are newly released “baby” RBCs
Auer rods are most commonly associated with what dx?
Acute Myelogenous 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 deficiency anemia?
It will almost always be low.
A low retic count and a normal serum ferritin should make you think of what dx?
Anemia of chronic disease
Under normal conditions at what hemoglobin level would you begin to consider a transfusion?
8
Asplenism secondary to sickle cell disease increases a pt’s risk for what type of infections?
Capsulated organisms like Strep pneumonia and H. flu
An African American teenager presents with avascular necrosis of his right femoral head. What is the most likely dx?
Sickle cell disease
How do you tx a sickle cell crisis?
Fluids
oxygen
pain meds
transfusion may be necessary
Will unconjugated bilirubin be high or low in a pt c 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 3 dx you should be thinking of if the 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 see 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 micryoctic, normocytic or macrocytic?
Macrocytic
You should be thinking alpha thalassemia if the question stem includes which 4 geographic areas?
Southeast Asia
China
Middle East
Africa
A pt 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 question 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 2 dx?
B12 deficiency neuropathy
diabetic neuropathy
Will the RBCs be large, small or normal size in a B12 deficient anemia?
Macrocytes
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, normocytic or macrocytic?
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
Is a question presents a pregnant woman with anemia, what is the most likely dx?
Iron deficiency
The term Philadelphia chromosome should make you think of what dx?
Chronic myeloid leukemia
