RBC tutorial

Question 1

Anaemia

Answer 1

Reduction in Hb concentration

Question 2

Cause of anaemia

Answer 2

RBC failure of production

RBC excess loss/ destruction

Question 3

Microcytic usually also

Answer 3

Hypochromic (pale)

Question 4

Cause of hypochromia

Answer 4

Cells have a larger central pallor due to lower Hb conc and a flatter cell

Question 5

Interpreting red cell on blood count and film

Answer 5

1. Is there anaemia
2. Clues in blood count
3. Clues in Hx
4. Examine size, shape, colour

Question 6

Iron deficiency anaemia

Answer 6

Checked Ferritin is reduced = low iron stores

Due to increased blood loss, insufficient intake, increased requirement

Clinical features: pallor, fatigue, breathlessness

Question 7

Reduced Mch and Mchc

Answer 7

Iron deficiency

Question 8

Reduced Mch normal Mchc

Answer 8

Thalassaemia trait

Question 9

Hypochromia correlates to

Answer 9

Mchc

Question 10

Thalassaemia trait blood count

Answer 10

Normal Hb
Low Mcv, mch
Mchc normal
RBC increased

HbA2 increased in beta thal trait

Ferritin normal in thalassaemia vs. Low in iron deficiency

Question 11

Anaemia of chronic disease blood count

Answer 11

Hb low
Ferritin high
Low iron
High CRP

Question 12

Iron deficiency transferrin

Answer 12

High

Question 13

Microcytic anaemia blood count

Answer 13

Reduced mcv

Question 14

Cause of Microcytic anaemia

Answer 14

Defect in haem synthesis
Defect in globin synthesis