MCV

Question 1

What does the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) classify?

Answer 1

Anemic processes as microcytic, normocytic, and macrocytic

Question 2

What does RDW measure?

Answer 2

Size variability of the RBC population

Question 3

What is the significance of RDW in anemia?

Answer 3

Useful in distinguishing deficiency anaemias from other causes

Question 4

When may RDW be increased?

Answer 4

In early deficiency anaemia (iron, vitamin B12, or folate) even before MCV becomes abnormal

Question 5

How does RDW help differentiate between Fe deficiency and thalassemia

Answer 5

High RDW = Fe deficiency
Normal = consistent with e.g thalassemia

Question 6

What is thalassaemia?

Answer 6

A hereditary disorder caused by defective synthesis of globin chains

Question 7

What is the hallmark of thalassaemia?

Answer 7

Microcytic, hypochromic haemolytic anaemia

Question 8

What is the purpose of the direct Coombs’ test?

Answer 8

To detect antibodies ON RBCs

Question 9

In which conditions is the direct Coombs’ test positive?

Answer 9

• Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia
• Transfusion reactions
• Some drug-induced haemolytic anaemia

Question 10

What does the indirect Coombs’ test detect?

Answer 10

Antibodies in the serum

Question 11

What is the routine use of the indirect Coombs’ test?

Answer 11

Compatibility testing before transfusion