Haematological Indices

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Questions and Answers

What is the main purpose of haematological indices?

To diagnose disease conditions such as anaemia and cancers (correct)

To measure the severity of injuries

To monitor platelet count only

To provide information about white blood cell count

What are the two main groups of haematological indices?

Platelet indices and Haemoglobin indices

Red blood cell indices and White blood cell indices

Haemoglobin indices and Mean corpuscular indices

Red blood cell indices and Platelet indices (correct)

Who introduced the concept of Red blood cell indices in 1929?

Wintrobe (correct)

Ruth Takyi Perbi

Mrs. Perbi

MLS

What does the Mean corpuscular/cell volume (MCV) measure?

The average size of a red blood cell Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the index that measures the average amount of haemoglobin in a single red blood cell?

MCH Signup and view all the answers

What do abnormal values of Red blood cell indices indicate?

The presence of anaemia Signup and view all the answers

How many types of Red blood cell indices are there?

4 Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of Red blood cell indices?

To provide information about the size and haemoglobin content of red blood cells Signup and view all the answers

What does the Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) indicate?

Whether red blood cells are normocytes, microcytes, or macrocytes Signup and view all the answers

What is the normal range for MCH?

28-34 pg Signup and view all the answers

What is the formula to calculate MCH?

Hb (g/dl) X10 / RBC (1012/l) Signup and view all the answers

What does a high MCHC indicate?

Hyperchromic anemia Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Rule of Three?

To detect measurement errors Signup and view all the answers

What does Plateletcrit (PCT) measure?

The volume occupied by platelets in the blood Signup and view all the answers

What is the normal range for Plateletcrit (PCT)?

0.20-0.36% Signup and view all the answers

What is the formula to calculate Plateletcrit (PCT)?

(PLT × MPV) / 10000 Signup and view all the answers

What does a high MPV indicate?

Large platelets Signup and view all the answers

What does a low MPV indicate?

Small platelets Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Introduction to Haematological Indices

Haematological indices are part of the full blood count test report.
They play a vital role in diagnosing disease conditions such as anaemia, cancers, etc.
They are simple, inexpensive, and practical severity markers for disease conditions.
They can be grouped into Red Blood Cell (RBC) indices and Platelet indices.

Red Blood Cell Indices

RBC indices provide information about the haemoglobin content and size of red blood cells.
Abnormal values indicate the presence of anaemia and its type.
There are four types of RBC indices:
- Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) - measures the average size of red blood cells.
- Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (MCH) - measures the average amount of haemoglobin in a single red blood cell.
- Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) - measures haemoglobin in red blood cells.
- Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) - measures differences in the volume and size of red blood cells.

MCV

MCV gives an indication of whether red blood cells are normocytes, microcytes, or macrocytes.
Normal value: 80-100 fl (femtolitre).

MCH

MCH gives an indication of whether red blood cells are normochromic, hypochromic, or hyperchromic.
Normal value: 28-34 pg (picogram).
MCH increases with B12 deficiency, folic acid deficiency, and reticulocytosis.
MCH decreases with iron deficiency anaemia, thalassaemia, and anaemia of chronic disorder.

MCHC

MCHC measures the average concentration of haemoglobin in a deciliter of erythrocytes.
Normal value: 32-36 g/dl.
MCHC increases with hypochromic red blood cells.
MCHC decreases with hyperchromic red blood cells.

Rule of Three

A formula to interpret the accuracy of RBC count, haematocrit, and haemoglobin values.

Platelet Indices

Platelet indices are useful markers for the early diagnosis of thromboembolic diseases.
They consist of:
- Plateletcrit (PCT) - measures total platelet mass.
- Platelet Distribution Width (PDW) - reflects variability in platelet sizes.
- Mean Platelet Volume (MPV) - measures the average size of platelets.

Plateletcrit (PCT)

PCT is a measure of total platelet mass, occupying a percentage of blood volume.
Normal value: 0.20 to 0.36%.

Mean Platelet Volume (MPV)

MPV is a sign that the body is producing too many platelets.
A high MPV indicates large platelets, associated with platelet activation.
A low MPV indicates smaller platelets, associated with ineffective platelet formation in the bone marrow.

Platelet Distribution Width (PDW)

PDW reflects variability in platelet sizes, associated with vascular disease or certain cancers.

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Description

Quiz about haematological indices, including red blood cell indices, platelet indices, and their applications in diagnosing diseases such as anaemia and cancer.