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Questions and Answers
What is absolute polycythemia primarily characterized by?
What is absolute polycythemia primarily characterized by?
Which condition would lead to secondary polycythemia with appropriately elevated EPO production?
Which condition would lead to secondary polycythemia with appropriately elevated EPO production?
In relative polycythemia, what is the primary reason for the increased hematocrit?
In relative polycythemia, what is the primary reason for the increased hematocrit?
Which of the following is NOT associated with secondary polycythemia?
Which of the following is NOT associated with secondary polycythemia?
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What distinguishes secondary polycythemia with inappropriately elevated EPO production?
What distinguishes secondary polycythemia with inappropriately elevated EPO production?
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Study Notes
Polycythemia
- Defined clinically as an increased hematocrit level above normal
- Occurs when hemoglobin and RBC count are elevated (reflecting an increase in total erythrocyte volume)
- Two main types: absolute and relative
Absolute Polycythemia
- Elevated total red blood cell mass
- Subtypes:
- Secondary polycythemia with appropriately EPO production
- Causes: decreased oxygen loading (e.g., hypoxia, high altitude, certain diseases), decreased oxygen unloading (high oxygen affinity hemoglobinopathy, etc.),
- Secondary polycythemia with inappropriately elevated EPO production
- Causes: neoplasms (e.g., Wilms' tumor, renal carcinoma), localized tissue hypoxia (e.g., polycystic kidney disease), post-renal transplant, or acute hepatitis
- Secondary polycythemia with appropriately EPO production
Relative Polycythemia
- Normal total red blood cell mass
- Decreased plasma volume
- Causes: dehydration, or shock
- Spurious polycythemia (stress polycythemia, Gaisböck's syndrome)
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Description
Test your knowledge on polycythemia, its definitions, and types. This quiz covers both absolute and relative polycythemia, including their causes and characteristics. Unlock the complexities of hematocrit levels and red blood cell counts in a fun way!
