Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following conditions is indicated by a lower-than-normal hemoglobin measurement in a Complete Blood Count (CBC)?
Which of the following conditions is indicated by a lower-than-normal hemoglobin measurement in a Complete Blood Count (CBC)?
- Leukocytosis
- Thrombocytosis
- Anemia (correct)
- Polycythemia
A male patient's CBC results show a hemoglobin (Hgb) level of 12.5 g/dL. How should this result be interpreted?
A male patient's CBC results show a hemoglobin (Hgb) level of 12.5 g/dL. How should this result be interpreted?
- Indicates anemia. (correct)
- Slightly elevated Hgb level for males.
- Normal Hgb level for males.
- Indicates polycythemia.
Which of the following would be the most likely next step if a female patient’s CBC results reveal a hemoglobin level of 11.0 g/dL?
Which of the following would be the most likely next step if a female patient’s CBC results reveal a hemoglobin level of 11.0 g/dL?
- Prescribe iron supplements and investigate potential causes of iron deficiency. (correct)
- Advise the patient that this is within the normal range for females and requires no further action.
- Order a bone marrow biopsy to rule out leukemia.
- Recommend immediate blood transfusion.
Why is it critical to consider gender-specific reference ranges when interpreting hemoglobin levels from a CBC?
Why is it critical to consider gender-specific reference ranges when interpreting hemoglobin levels from a CBC?
A patient presents with fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath. A CBC reveals a low hemoglobin level. What initial steps should be taken to determine the underlying cause of the anemia?
A patient presents with fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath. A CBC reveals a low hemoglobin level. What initial steps should be taken to determine the underlying cause of the anemia?
Flashcards
What is Anemia?
What is Anemia?
A condition characterized by a decrease in red blood cell (RBC) measurements.
What is a CBC?
What is a CBC?
A complete blood count, a panel of tests evaluating overall blood health.
What is Hemoglobin (Hgb)?
What is Hemoglobin (Hgb)?
The oxygen-carrying protein found in red blood cells; a key measurement in anemia diagnosis.
Study Notes
- Anemia is defined as a decrease in one or more of the major RBC measurements from a complete blood count (CBC).
Hemoglobin
- Hemoglobin (Hgb) is a key measurement in diagnosing anemia.
- Normal Hgb ranges vary by sex:
- Males: 14-17.5 g/dL
- Females: 12.3-15.3 g/dL
Hematocrit
- Hematocrit (Hct) is another important RBC measurement.
- Normal Hct ranges also vary by sex:
- Males: 41.5-50.4%
- Females: 36.9-44.6%
Red Blood Cell Count
- Red blood cell (RBC) count is a direct measurement of the number of RBCs.
- Normal RBC ranges are:
- Males: 4.5-5.5 x 10^6 /µL
- Females: 4.0-4.9 x 10^6 /µL
Mean Corpuscular Volume
- Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) reflects the average size of the RBCs.
- It is useful for classifying anemias as microcytic, normocytic, or macrocytic.
- Normal MCV range: 80-100 fL
Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin
- Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH) indicates the average amount of hemoglobin per RBC.
- Normal MCH range: 27-33 pg/cell
Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration
- Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) represents the average concentration of hemoglobin in a given volume of RBCs.
- Normal MCHC range: 33-36 g/dL
Red Cell Distribution Width
- Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) measures the variability in the size of RBCs (anisocytosis).
- Normal RDW range: 11.5-14.5%
Anemia Classification based on MCV
- Microcytic anemia: MCV < 80 fL
- Normocytic anemia: MCV 80-100 fL
- Macrocytic anemia: MCV > 100 fL
Reticulocyte Count
- Reticulocyte count measures the number of immature RBCs, reflecting bone marrow's response to anemia.
- Can help determine if anemia is due to decreased production or increased destruction/loss of RBCs.
Iron Studies
- Serum iron measures the amount of iron circulating in the blood.
- Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC) measures the blood's capacity to bind iron with transferrin.
- Transferrin saturation is the percentage of transferrin bound to iron.
- Ferritin is a measure of iron stores in the body.
Vitamin B12 and Folate
- Vitamin B12 and folate levels are measured to assess for deficiencies that can cause macrocytic anemia.
Hemoglobin Electrophoresis
- Hemoglobin electrophoresis identifies abnormal hemoglobin variants, useful in diagnosing hemoglobinopathies like sickle cell anemia and thalassemia.
Bone Marrow Biopsy
- Bone marrow biopsy is performed in some cases to evaluate the production of blood cells and identify any abnormalities in the bone marrow.
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Description
Learn about anemia and its diagnosis through key red blood cell (RBC) measurements obtained from a complete blood count (CBC). Understand the significance of Hemoglobin (Hgb), Hematocrit (Hct), and RBC count, including normal ranges for males and females. Explore Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) and Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH).
