Introduction to Anemias

Question 1

2 general causes for anemia

Answer 1

1. ↑ loss of RBCs (hemorrhage or hemolysis)

2. ↓ production of RBCs (in the BM)

Question 2

7 general clinical symptoms of anemia

Answer 2

1. Pallor
2. Lightheadedness
3. Muscle weakness
4. Vertigo
5. General lethargy
6. Dsypnea (esp. exertional)
7. Headache

Question 3

Characteristics results in anemic patient

- Cell profile

Answer 3

↓ RBC and/or ↓ hemoglobin

Question 4

Characteristics results in anemic patient

- RBC indices in M/H anemia

Answer 4

• RBC may be normal initially…but ↓ in stage 3

- ↓ H & H (Hb

Question 5

Characteristics results in anemic patient

- RBC indices in macrocytic anemia

Answer 5

• ↑ MCV

Question 6

Characteristics results in anemic patient

- RBC indices in N/N anemia

Answer 6

• Normal MCV

- Normal MCHC

Question 7

Characteristics results in anemic patient

- Reticulocyte count in aplastic anemia

Answer 7

• ↓ to absent retic count

Question 8

Characteristics results in anemic patient

- Reticulocyte count for extracorpuscular hemolytic anemia

Answer 8

↑ retic count

Question 9

Characterstic RBC morphology

- Liver disease

Answer 9

Round macrocytes and target cells, stomatocytes, or spur cells

Question 10

Characterstic RBC morphology

- Hereditary spherocytosis

Answer 10

Spherocytes

Question 11

Condition characterized by structural variations in globin genes that result in the formation of abnormal globin chains
- Ex: sickle cell and Hb C

Answer 11

Hemoglobinopathy

Question 12

Characterstic RBC morphology

- Pernicious anemia

Answer 12

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Question 13

Characterstic RBC morphology

- Sickle cell anemia

Answer 13

Sickle cells

Question 14

Characterstic RBC morphology

- Thalassemia

Answer 14

• Target cells, schistocytes, spherocytes, teardrops
• H-J, B.S., Heinz (not on Wright stain)
• nRBCs!!!!

Question 15

CBC profile

- Cold aggultinin

Answer 15

• ↓ RBC
• Normal Hb
• ↓ Hct
• ↑ MCV, WBC, RDW
• ↑ MCHC

Question 16

CBC profile

- Lipemia

Answer 16

• ↓ RBC
• Normal Hb
• ↓ Hct
• Normal MCV
• ↑ MCHC

Question 17

CBC profile

- Newborn

Answer 17

• ↑ WBC
• Normal RBC
• ↑ MCV
• ↓ MCHC

Question 18

CBC profile

- “Normal”

Answer 18

RDW is w/in range

Question 19

CBC profile

- Anemia (macro/micro/normocytic)

Answer 19

Macrocytic
- ↑ MCV
- Normal MCHC
M/H
- ↓ MCV
- ↓ MCHC

Question 20

CBC profile

- Leukemia

Answer 20

↑↑↑ WBC