Pathoma: Normocytic Anemia

Question 1

Histologically, reticulocytes are _________.

Answer 1

larger and bluer (due to RNA presence) than mature RBCs

Question 2

In properly functioning marrow, reticulocyte count should be greater than ______ in a patient with anemia.

Answer 2

3%

Question 3

Reticulocyte count can be __________ if the patient has anemia.

Answer 3

falsely elevated; this can be corrected by multiplying the reticulocyte count by (hematocrit/45)

Question 4

What do globin, heme, and protophorphyrin get broken down to?

Answer 4

Globin = amino acids; heme = iron and protoporphyrin; protoporphyrin = unconjugated bilirubin

Question 5

What does the liver do with unconjugated bilirubin?

Answer 5

It conjugates it and sends it into the gall bladder and bile.

Question 6

Haptoglobin binds ________.

Answer 6

hemoglobin (in intravascular hemolysis)

Question 7

Lab signs of intravascular hemolysis include _________.

Answer 7

hemoglobinemia, hemoglobinuria, hemosidenuria (renal epithelial cells loaded with iron that slough off into the urine), and low haptoglobin