Hematology Study Questions

Question 1

Hemoglobin normal lab value

Answer 1

10.2-13.4

Question 2

Hematocrit normal lab value

Answer 2

31.7%-39.8%

Question 3

RBC normal lab value

Answer 3

3.89-5.03

Question 4

WBC normal lab value

Answer 4

4.86-11.4

Question 5

Platelet normal lab value

Answer 5

202-367

Question 6

MCV normal lab value

Answer 6

71.3-87.6

Question 7

MCH normal lab value

Answer 7

23.7-29.5

Question 8

Reticulocyte count normal lab value

Answer 8

0.82%-1.49%

Question 9

What is hemoglobin

Answer 9

O2 carrying protein in RBC

Question 10

What is hematocrit

Answer 10

plasma in blood

Question 11

What is mean corpuscular value

Answer 11

average size of RBC

Question 12

what is mean corpuscular hemoglobin

Answer 12

average mass of Hgb per RBC

Question 13

Anemia definition

Answer 13

Reduction in number of RBCs, hemoglobin, or Hct below normal

Question 14

Anemia cause

Answer 14

Decreased production (marrow issues, nutrition), blood loss, or RBC destruction

Question 15

Lab indicators of anemia

Answer 15

↓ Hgb, ↓ Hct, altered MCV/MCH, ↑ or ↓ reticulocytes depending on type.

Question 16

Microcytic anemia

Answer 16

↓ MCV (Iron deficiency)

Question 17

Normocytic anemia

Answer 17

Normal MCV (e.g., inflammation, hemorrhage)

Question 18

Macrocytic anemia

Answer 18

↑ MCV (B12 or folate deficiency)​

Question 19

Iron deficient anemia definition/cause

Answer 19

Inadequate iron intake (excessive cow’s milk, poor diet), blood loss (GI, menstruation)​

Question 20

Early S/S of iron deficient anemia

Answer 20

pallor, fatigue, irritability, pica

Question 21

Late S/S of iron deficient anemia

Answer 21

tachypnea and cardiomegaly

Question 22

treatment of iron deficient anemia

Answer 22

• 2-5mg/kg/day of elemental iron
• Take with ascorbic acid
• No milk
• Reticulocytes normal within days
• Hgb normal within 2 months

Question 23

labs of iron deficient anemia

Answer 23

low ferritin, low serum FE, high TIBC

Question 24

Sickle cell disease definition

Answer 24

Autosomal recessive; common in African/Mediterranean descent. Caused by Hgb S replacing normal Hgb A

Question 25

Patho of sickle cell disease

Answer 25

Sickled cells → vessel occlusion → ischemia and organ damage. - Chronic hemolysis/anemia due to short RBC lifespan (10–20 days).

Question 26

Complications of sickle cell

Answer 26

stroke, acust chest crisis, splenic sequestration, priapism, retinopathy, kidney damage, and gallstones

Question 27

Medications for sickle cell

Answer 27

- Hydroxyurea ( ↑ Hgb F, ↓ Hgb S) - Penicillin (Until age 5 to prevent infections) - Folic Acid (Supports RBC production) - PCA (For age 6+, child-controlled; monitor for respiratory depression​)

Question 28

Does sickle cell have a cure?

Answer 28

- Yes - Hematopoietic stem cell transplant - Risk for graft rejection/infection/GVHD

Question 29

Acute chest crisis

Answer 29

- acute lower respiratory tract illness - S/S include infiltrate on CXR, fever, chest pain, tachypnea, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and low O2 sat - Medical emergency

Question 30

Infection crisis

Answer 30

- Lab evidence will show abnormal spleen function in sickle cell pt's as early as 4-6 months of age - Fever above 38.5 is an emergency - Broad spectrum antibiotics are given (cefepine)

Question 31

Vaso-Occlusive crisis

Answer 31

- triggered by dehydration, infection, stress, cold, hypoxia - S/S include fever, pain, swollen joints - Treatment is IV hydration, pain management, and monitor perfusion/infection

Question 32

Hemophilia definition

Answer 32

- A is factor 8 - B is factor 4 - Hemarthrosis, prolonged bleeding, easy bruising, intracranial bleeds

Question 33

Hemophilia treatment

Answer 33

Factor replacement, DDAVP (for mild cases), genetic counseling​