Anemia

• What is the main function of RBCs?

  To deliver oxygen to tissues
• What does anemia indicate about oxygen delivery?

  It indicates decreased oxygen delivery to tissues
• What are the two types of anemia?

  Relative anemia and absolute anemia
• What characterizes relative anemia?

  Normal RBC mass, low volume
• How is absolute anemia defined?

  Low RBC mass with normal volume
• What is a common cause of relative anemia in women?

  Blood loss during menstruation
• What hemoglobin level indicates anemia in males?

  Less than 12 g/dL
• What hemoglobin level indicates anemia in females?

  Less than 11 g/dL
• What does low RBC delivery to circulation indicate?

  Low production of RBCs from bone marrow
• What can cause absolute anemia due to loss of RBCs?

  Severe bleeding from an accident
• How does malaria cause anemia?

  It destroys RBCs in the bloodstream
• What are common signs of anemia?

  Easy fatigability and pallor
• What symptom indicates the heart's response to anemia?

  Palpitations due to increased heart work
• What laboratory test is crucial for evaluating anemia?

  Complete blood count (CBC)
• What tests are used for evaluating anemia?

  • Red cell count
  • Red cell indices
  • Hemoglobin and hematocrit
  • RDW
  • PBS
  • Reticulocyte count
  • OFT
  • Bone marrow examination
• What does RDW measure in anemia evaluation?

  Variation in the size of RBCs
• What are the physical characteristics used to classify anemia?

  Degree of hemoglobinization and size of red cells
• What does reticulocyte count indicate?

  Bone marrow's response to anemia
• What does a blood smear (PBS) check for?

  Abnormalities or abnormal cells in blood
• What are the three pathogenesis categories for classifying anemia?

  Disorders of formation, excessive loss, abnormal distribution
• What are the types of microcytic-hypochromic anemia?

  1. Iron Deficiency Anemia
  2. Chronic Disease
  3. Sideroblastic Anemia
  4. Thalassemia
• What causes microcytic and hypochromic RBCs?

  Insufficient hemoglobin synthesis
• What is the most common cause of anemia?

  Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA)
• What can lead to iron deficiency anemia?

  Dietary inadequacy and malabsorption
• How do hookworms contribute to anemia?

  They cause microcytic hypochromic RBCs
• What happens to iron if protoporphyrin IX is absent?

  Iron accumulates without forming hemoglobin
• What lab findings indicate iron deficiency anemia?

  Decreased hemoglobin and serum iron
• What does a low ferritin level indicate?

  Low stored iron in the body
• What characterizes anemia of chronic disease?

  Low serum iron and high serum ferritin
• What is the main issue in sideroblastic anemia?

  Inability to incorporate iron into hemoglobin
• What are sideroblasts?

  Immature cells with iron deposits
• What distinguishes primary from secondary sideroblastic anemia?

  Primary is idiopathic; secondary is disease-related
• What are the lab findings for the three types of anemia?

  1. IDA: Low serum iron, high TIBC, low ferritin
  2. Chronic Disease: Low serum iron, low TIBC, high ferritin
  3. Sideroblastic: High serum iron, normal TIBC, high ferritin
• What characterizes normocytic-normochromic anemia?

  Normal RBC appearance but low count
• What is aplastic anemia associated with?

  Drug exposure and viral infections
• What is pancytopenia?

  Low counts of RBCs, WBCs, and platelets
• What does aplastic anemia indicate about bone marrow?

  Very few or absent cells in bone marrow
• What is the appearance of RBCs in acute blood loss anemia?

  RBCs look totally normal
• What does normocytic-normochromic mean?

  Quality over quantity of RBCs
• Why does acute blood loss lead to anemia despite normal RBC appearance?

  Circulating red cell count is low