Introduction to anaemia

Question 1

Red blood cell has no nucleus or mitochondria

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Diameter of red blood cell?

Answer 2

4um

Question 3

Shape of red blood cell?

Answer 3

Biconcave disc

Question 4

Red blood cell is filled with?

Answer 4

Haemoglobin

Question 5

Red blood cell produces energy via?

Answer 5

Glycolysis under anaerobic conditions

Question 6

Describe red blood cell reaction to reactive oxygen species (ROS)

Answer 6

• Ferrous in haemoglobin is converted to Ferric -> unable to pick up oxygen

Question 7

Lipid membrane damage shortens RBC life span

Answer 7

True

Question 8

Function of glutathione

Answer 8

Scavenges ROS to protect RBC

Question 9

Function of erythryopoietin (EPO)

Answer 9

Hormone that stimulates RBC production in bone marrow

Question 10

Erythryopoietin is released by?

Answer 10

Kidneys

Question 11

Erythryopoietin (EPO) is released how?

Answer 11

Release stimulated by decreasing oxygen carrying capacity of blood

Question 12

Define anaemia

Answer 12

Reduction in RBC number and haemoglobin concentration of blood

Question 13

Symptoms of anaemia?

Answer 13

• Tiredness
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Shortness of breath
• Palpitations (i.e. racing heart)
• Chest pain
• Postural hypotension (i.e. change in blood pressure when sitting up)

Question 14

Signs that clue cause anaemia?

Answer 14

• Angular stomatitis, glossitis, and koilonychia (spoon-shaped nails) -> iron-deficiency anaemia
• Jaundice -> haemolytic anaemia

Question 15

List causes of anaemia

Answer 15

1. decrease production of RBC
2. Increased loss of RBC
3. Shortened life span or increased destruction of RBC (haemolytic anaemia)

Question 16

What could cause decreased production of RBC?

Answer 16

• Nutrient deficiencies: iron, vitamin B12, and folate

- Bone marrow pathology

Question 17

Possible cause of increased loss of RBC

Answer 17

Bleeding

Question 18

Cause of shortened life span or increased destruction of RBC (haemolytic anaemia)

Answer 18

• Inherited (e.g. thalassemia)

- Acquired (e.g. autoimmune)

Question 19

Describe Lab test for anaemia using haemoglobin (Hb)

Answer 19

Measure concentration of Hb in blood [g/L]

Question 20

Describe mean corpuscular volume (MCV) lab test for anaemia

Answer 20

Measure average size of RBC [fL]

Question 21

Reduced MCV is when?

Answer 21

Microcytic anaemia (<80 fL)

Question 22

Normal MCV is when?

Answer 22

Normocytic anaemia

Question 23

Increased MCV is when?

Answer 23

Macrocytic anaemia (> 100 fL)

Question 24

Define “blood film”

Answer 24

Blood smears dried and stained to view under microscope to find specific morphological findings

Question 25

Anisocytosis

Answer 25

Abnormal RBC size

Question 26

Poikilocytosis

Answer 26

Abnormal RBC shape

Question 27

Hypochromic

Answer 27

Pale/white area is >1/3 of cell

Question 28

Hyperchromic

Answer 28

Pale/white area is <1/3 of cell

Question 29

Macrocytes

Answer 29

Large RBC

Question 30

Spherocytes

Answer 30

Very large, round RBC

Question 31

Reticulocyte count?

Answer 31

Count number of reticulocytes in blood film (ID by staining residual RNA blue)

Question 32

Identify Reticulocytes?

Answer 32

Immature RBC; residual RNA is stained blue (bluish tinge to cell)

Question 33

Reticulocyte maturation requires?

Answer 33

Vitamin B12 and Folate

Question 34

Reticulocyte count reflects?

Answer 34

Bone marrow production

Question 35

Diagnosis for microcytic anaemia?

Answer 35

- MCV test (<80 fL) - Iron deficiency - Inherited Hb abnormality - i.e. Thalassaemia

Question 36

Diagnosis for normocytic anaemia?

Answer 36

- Acute blood loss | - Bone marrow pathology

Question 37

Diagnosis for macrocytic anaemia?

Answer 37

- MCV test (> 100 fL) - Vitamin B12 or Folate deficiency - Haemolysis - Liver disease

Question 38

Blood film showing hypochromic microcytic cells with anisocytosis and poikilocytosis?

Answer 38

Iron deficiency anaemia

Question 39

Blood film showing macrocytes

Answer 39

B12 or folate deficiency

Question 40

Blood film showing spherocytes

Answer 40

Haemolysis

Question 41

Blood film showing blast cells (primitive cells)

Answer 41

Bone marrow failure

Question 42

Increased reticulocytes means?

Answer 42

Increased bone marrow production - Acute haemorrhate - Reduced RBC life space (haemolysis) - Response to replenished iron, Vitamin B12 or folate

Question 43

Decreased reticulocytes means?

Answer 43

- Not enough iron, vitamin B12 or folate | - Bone marrow pathology