Red Cell Indices Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Which index measures the average volume of red blood cells?

Mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC)

Red cell distribution width (RDW)

Mean cell hemoglobin (MCH)

Mean cell volume (MCV) (correct)

What is the average total body iron mass for men?

5.0 g

4.5 g

2.5 g

3.5 g (correct)

What does the mean cell hemoglobin (MCH) represent?

Concentration of hemoglobin in the serum

Average volume of packed red cells

Average mass of hemoglobin per red cell (correct)

Average size of red cells in femtoliters

Which test would be used to analyze hemoglobin types in a sample?

Hemoglobin electrophoresis Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following constitutes the majority of functional body iron?

Hemoglobin Signup and view all the answers

How much iron is typically absorbed from heme sources in a Western diet?

20% Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following indices assesses red cell volume variation?

Red cell distribution width (RDW) Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common cause of iron deficiency anemia in the Western world?

Chronic blood loss Signup and view all the answers

What parameters are included in serum iron indices?

Iron levels and transferrin saturation Signup and view all the answers

Which group is most likely to experience iron deficiency due to poor bioavailability in their diet?

Infants fed exclusively milk Signup and view all the answers

Which measurement is expressed in grams per deciliter?

Mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) Signup and view all the answers

What is the average serum iron level for women?

100 µg/dL Signup and view all the answers

Which component is NOT typically evaluated in the diagnosis of anemia?

Lung function tests Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is typically indicated by elevated plasma unconjugated bilirubin?

Hemolytic anemia Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the total body iron is contained in the iron storage pool?

15% to 20% Signup and view all the answers

How much iron is lost daily in the body?

1 to 2 mg Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes intravascular hemolysis?

Destruction of red cells within the circulation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a clinical feature of hereditary spherocytosis?

Bilirubin-rich gallstones Signup and view all the answers

What is the main mechanism leading to hemolysis in G6PD deficiency?

Oxidative injury to red blood cells Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is associated with extravascular hemolysis?

Phagocytosis by spleen phagocytes Signup and view all the answers

Which symptom is indicative of hemolytic anemia?

Decreased serum haptoglobin Signup and view all the answers

What is a common complication of hereditary spherocytosis?

Aplastic crises triggered by parvovirus B19 Signup and view all the answers

Which laboratory finding is generally observed in patients with hereditary spherocytosis?

Erythroid hyperplasia Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential benefit of splenectomy in hereditary spherocytosis?

Improvement of anemia Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic morphology of megaloblastic erythroid progenitors?

Larger than normal with finely reticulated nuclear chromatin Signup and view all the answers

What is the earliest change observed in peripheral blood for patients with megaloblastic anemia?

Hypersegmented neutrophils Signup and view all the answers

What factors can lead to folate deficiency anemia?

Inadequate dietary intake and malabsorption Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about giant metamyelocytes is true?

They appear as unusually large cells with immature nuclear characteristics. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following drugs is known to interfere with folate absorption?

Phenytoin Signup and view all the answers

What does an MCV greater than 110 fL indicate in a patient?

Possibility of megaloblastic anemia Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship of acidic foods to folate absorption?

Acidic foods inhibit the conversion of folate for absorption. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of megaloblastic anemia regarding platelet appearance?

Platelets are large and misshapen. Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is characterized by demyelination of the posterior and lateral columns of the spinal cord?

Pernicious anemia Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic clinical feature of vitamin B12 deficiency?

Symmetric numbness and tingling Signup and view all the answers

What is the main treatment approach for anemia of chronic inflammation?

Treating the underlying condition Signup and view all the answers

What laboratory finding is associated with pernicious anemia?

Presence of serum antibodies to intrinsic factor Signup and view all the answers

Which factor primarily contributes to the pathogenesis of anemia of chronic inflammation?

High levels of plasma hepcidin Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following diseases is NOT a known cause of disruption in the distal ileum function?

Beta-thalassemia Signup and view all the answers

What is a common clinical feature of aplastic anemia?

Pancytopenia Signup and view all the answers

Which demographic is most likely affected by anemia of chronic inflammation?

Hospitalized patients Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Red Cell Indices

Mean Cell Volume (MCV): Average volume per red blood cell, measured in femtoliters.
Mean Cell Hemoglobin (MCH): Average mass of hemoglobin per red cell, expressed in picograms.
Mean Cell Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC): Average concentration of hemoglobin in packed red cells, in grams per deciliter.
Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW): Measures the variation in red cell volume.

Pathological Classification of Anemia

Other blood tests assess serum iron indices, plasma unconjugated bilirubin, haptoglobin, lactate, folate, vitamin B12, hemoglobin electrophoresis, and the Coombs test.
Hemolytic anemia is classified into intravascular (red cell destruction in circulation) and extravascular (phagocytosis by spleen).

Intravascular vs. Extravascular Hemolysis

Intravascular hemolysis leads to hemoglobinemia, hemoglobinuria, and hemosiderinuria with possible splenomegaly and iron loss.
Extravascular hemolysis results in bilirubin-rich gallstones and post-splenectomy increased risk of cholelithiasis.

Hereditary Spherocytosis

An inherited defect in red cell membrane, leading to spherocyte formation, typically autosomal dominant.
Clinical features include anemia, jaundice, splenomegaly, and increased osmotic fragility; splenectomy can improve anemia symptoms.

Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency

Vulnerability to hemolysis due to oxidative stress, affecting mainly populations in developing countries.
Total body iron mass varies: approximately 2.5g for women and 3.5g for men; majority is in hemoglobin.

Iron Metabolism

Iron storage is primarily in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow; serum iron levels average 120 µg/dL in men, 100 µg/dL in women.
Daily iron loss is 1 to 2 mg, balanced by dietary absorption, mainly from meat (heme) and vegetables (non-heme).

Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) Causes

Chronic blood loss is key in the West; common sources include gastrointestinal tract bleeding.
In developing countries, low intake and malabsorption due to vegetarian diets are prevalent.
Increased iron demand occurs during pregnancy and infancy; malabsorption issues also contribute.

Megaloblastic Anemia

Characterized by hypercellular bone marrow containing megaloblasts with immature nuclear chromatin.
Peripheral blood shows macroovalocytes, hypersegmented neutrophils, and large platelets.

Folate Deficiency

Results from inadequate dietary intake, malabsorption, or increased metabolic needs; affected by acidic foods and certain medications.
Neurologic involvement may lead to demyelination; clinical features include jaundice and neurological symptoms.

Anemia of Chronic Inflammation

Common in hospitalized patients; linked to inflammation suppressing erythropoiesis.
Caused by chronic infections, immune disorders, and neoplasms; treatment focuses on addressing the underlying cause.

Aplastic Anemia

Results from suppression of multipotent myeloid stem cells, leading to bone marrow failure and pancytopenia.
Can occur due to both extrinsic (immune-mediated) and intrinsic (stem cell abnormalities) factors.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the size, color, and shape of red blood cells through visual inspection and quantitative indices. This quiz focuses on Mean Cell Volume (MCV) and other related measurements that characterize red blood cells.