Hematology - RBC ref ranges & indices Flashcards
What is the composition of whole blood?
RBCs, WBCs, Platelets, and Plasma
After centrifugation of whole blood, what does the buffy coat consist of?
WBCs and Platelets
What is the difference between plasma and serum?
Plasma - liquid portion of UNCLOTTED blood
Serum - liquid portion of CLOTTED blood
Does serum contain all coagulation proteins?
No, it lacks the fibrinogen group
Does plasma contain all coagulation proteins?
Yes
Describe the appearance of plasma.
hazy and pale yellow
Describe the appearance of serum.
clear and straw colored
What is the formula for calculating MCV?
What is the reference range for MCV?
80-100 fL
What does MCV measure?
the average/mean volume of RBCs (and size of RBCs)
What conditions is MCV INCREASED in?
- megaloblastic anemia
- hemolytic anemia with reticulocytosis
- liver disease
Note: normal in newborn.
macrocytic anemias
What conditions is MCV DECREASED in?
- iron deficiency anemia
- thalassemia
- sideroblastic anemia
- lead poisoning
microcytic anemias
Is MCV calculated or directly measured by automation?
directly measured by automation
What is the formula for MCH?
What is the reference range for MCH?
27-31 pg (pictograms)
What does MCH measure?
the average weight of hemoglobin in individual RBCs
What conditions is MCH INCREASED in?
macrocytic anemias
What conditions is MCH DECREASED in?
microcytic anemias
What RBC indices parallel MCV?
MCH
What is the formula for calculating MCHC?
What is the reference range for MCHC?
32-36% or g/dL
What is MCHC a measure of?
the average concentration of hemoglobin
What conditions is MCHC INCREASED in?
- presence of spherocytes
- error in RBC or HGB measurement
What conditions is MCHC DECREASED in?
- iron deficiency
- thalassemia
hypochromic RBCs
What is the reference range for RDW?
11.5-14.5%
What is RDW determined by?
the RBC histogram
What is the RDW increased in proportion to?
the degree of anisocytosis (variation in size)