Understanding Blood Cell Characteristics Quiz

Red Blood Cell Indices

• Red cell distribution width (RDW) measures the variability of the size of red blood cells.

Diagnostic Tests

• Hemoglobin electrophoresis is the gold standard test for thalassemia and sickle cell anemia.

Iron Deficiency Anemia

• Total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) measures the body's ability to bind to iron.

Anemia Diagnosis

• The most sensitive test for iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the serum ferritin level.

Red Blood Cell Characteristics

• The normal range for Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) is 80-100 femtoliters.
• Poikilocytosis is a condition characterized by the presence of abnormally shaped red blood cells.

Anemia in Males

• The typical hemoglobin level range for males is 13.5-17.5 grams per deciliter.

Nail Abnormalities

• Koilonychia, characterized by spooning of the fingernails, is a condition often associated with iron deficiency anemia.

Eating Disorders

• Pica and pagophagia refer to cravings for abnormal substances, such as ice, dirt, or starch, often seen in iron deficiency anemia.

Microcytic Anemias

• Thalassemia and iron deficiency anemia are categorized as microcytic anemias.

Red Blood Cell Size Variability

• RDW (red cell distribution width) measures the variability in size of red blood cells.