Anemia

Question 1

What is the basic principle of anemia?

Answer 1

-Reduction in circulating RBC mass,
-decreased hemoglobin concentration
-decreased hematocrit (decreased production of rbcs, increased destruction)

Question 2

What are the three etiopathogenetic classifications of anemia by mechanism?

Answer 2

• Blood Loss
• Increased Red Cell Destruction (Hemolysis)
• Decreased Red Cell Production

Question 3

What are the classifications of anemia according to hemoglobin concentration in erythrocytes?

Answer 3

• Hypochromic < 27 Pico Grams
• Normochromic 27-32 pg
• Hyperchromic > 32 pg

Question 4

What defines microcytic anemia based on mean corpuscular volume (MCV)?

Answer 4

MCV < 80 µm3

Question 5

List the types of microcytic anemia.

Answer 5

• Iron Deficiency Anemia
• Anemia of chronic disease
• Sideroblastic anemia
• Thalassemia (Hemoglobinopathy)

Question 6

What defines normocytic anemia based on mean corpuscular volume (MCV)?

Answer 6

MCV = 80-100 µm3

Question 7

List the causes of normocytic anemia.

Answer 7

• Reticulocytes (Young RBCs)
• Extravascular hemolysis (e.g., Hereditary spherocytosis, Sickle cell anemia)
• Intravascular hemolysis (e.g., PNH, G6PD Deficiency, Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia, Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, Malaria)

Question 8

What defines macrocytic anemia based on mean corpuscular volume (MCV)?

Answer 8

MCV > 100 µm3

Question 9

List the types of megaloblastic anemias.

Answer 9

• Folate deficiency
• Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Question 10

What are the normal hemoglobin values for males and females?

Answer 10

Males: 13-17 g/dL; Females: 12-16 g/dL

Question 11

What is the normal hematocrit percentage for males and females?

Answer 11

Males: 41-53%; Females: 36-46%

Question 12

What is the normal range for MCV?

Answer 12

80-100 fL/cell

Question 13

What is the normal reticulocyte count?

Answer 13

0.5 - 2.5%

Question 14

What are the normal folate and B12 levels?

Answer 14

• Folate: 2-16 ng/mL
• B12: 100-900 pg/mL

Question 15

What are common symptoms of anemia?

Answer 15

• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Dyspnea
• Pale conjunctiva and skin
• Headache
• Lightheadedness
• Postural hypotension
• Angina

Question 16

What are the main compensatory mechanisms of the body in response to anemia?

Answer 16

• CVS: Tachycardia, Increased stroke volume, vasodilation
• Kidney: Increased erythropoietin
• DPG in red cells: Facilitates release of O2
• Lungs: Tachypnea

Question 17

True or False: Anemia is defined as having hemoglobin levels lower than the normal values.

Answer 17

True

Question 18

Fill in the blank: Anemia is characterized by a decrease in _______.

Answer 18

circulating RBC mass