Erythrocytes and Indices

Question 1

what are indices

Answer 1

series of measurements to determine size of RBCs and amount of hemoglobin, give idea of individual cells and appearance (classify anemia)

Question 2

what the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) tells us

Answer 2

volume inside an average RBC

Question 3

how to calculate MCV

Answer 3

PCV x 10 / RBC count= __femoliter

Question 4

normal canine MCV

Answer 4

60/70 /fl

Question 5

terms for smaller and bigger than normal RBCs (MCV)

Answer 5

microcytic (smaller), macrocytic (larger)

Question 6

what the mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) tells us

Answer 6

tells weight of hemoglobin inside average RBC

Question 7

how to calculate MCH

Answer 7

Hgb x 10 / RBC count = ___picograms

Question 8

normal canine MCH

Answer 8

19.5-24.5 pg

Question 9

what the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) tells us

Answer 9

average amount of hgb concentration in a unit of volume

Question 10

how to calculate MCHC

Answer 10

Hgb x 100 / PCV= __ g/dl

Question 11

normal canine MCHC

Answer 11

32-36 g/dl

Question 12

term for less than normal and normal MCHC values

Answer 12

hypochomic (less), normochromic (normal)

Question 13

Indice values of iron deficient anemia

Answer 13

microcytic cells (small MCV), hypochromic (low MCH and MCHC; bc less iron -> less hbg

Question 14

what are reticulocytes

Answer 14

immature erythrocyte in phase 3, no nucleus, phase just before mature, larger

Question 15

how reticulocytes stain

Answer 15

bluish tint bc of nucleus remnants (polychromasia- multicolored RBCs)

Question 16

reticulocytes are also called

Answer 16

polychromatophils (bc polychromasia)

Question 17

define anisocytosis

Answer 17

variation in size of cells (ex: normal RBCs and reticulocytes)

Question 18

define poikilocytes

Answer 18

abnormally shaped RBCs

Question 19

what spherocytes look like

Answer 19

dense in color, smaller than normal (microcytic), sphere shaped

Question 20

anemia associated w spherocytes

Answer 20

autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) immune system produces antibodies against RBCs, neutrophils unable to engulf whole RBC, only takes piece

Question 21

what leptocytes look like, why?

Answer 21

cells w less volume (less hgb), flatten out and may fold or may appear as target cells

Question 22

leptocytes are associated w

Answer 22

chronic anemia

Question 23

what are Schistocytes

how do they usually occur

Answer 23

fractured or fragmented RBCs

usually from damage while circulating, usually blood vessel obstruction

Question 24

what are acanthocytes(what they look like)

Answer 24

RBC w rounded/blunt projections, irregular borders

Question 25

when would we see acanthocytes in blood

Answer 25

pigs (stress), liver disease, blood cancer

Question 26

when would we see crenation of RBCs?

Answer 26

technical error; slide dried too slowly or has excessive moisture

Question 27

what crenation RBCs look like

Answer 27

sharp starlike spicules (unlike acanthocytes that are blunt)

Question 28

what are RBC inclusions

Answer 28

something suspended inside cell

Question 29

a nucleated RBC is also called

Answer 29

a metrarubicyte (immate RBC w nucleus)

Question 30

what is a howell-jolly body

Answer 30

blue nuclear fragment inclusion (small blue speck) immature cell

Question 31

what are heinz bodies, how do they cause anemia

Answer 31

inclusion, round piece of denatured or altered hemoglobin on RBC; makes cells fragile and rupture

Question 32

drug that causes heinz body anemia

Answer 32

acetaminophen (tylenol)

Question 33

what is basophilic stippling

Answer 33

inclusions; RNA remnants appear as blue dots

Question 34

when would we see basophilic stippling in RBCs

Answer 34

heavy metal poisoning (lead, arsenic), also a form of reticulocyte in ruminants

Question 35

stain used to see heinz bodies

Answer 35

new methylene blue staining

Question 36

what is rouleaux | when do we see this?

Answer 36

when blood cells stack | normal in horses, some in cats, hyperproteinemia can cause

Question 37

what is a metarubicyte

Answer 37

a nucleated RBC (immature)

Question 38

how to correct WBC count for nRBCs/metarubicytes

Answer 38

100/100+nRBC x WBC count(uncorrected)= correct count