Hemolytic anemia
Hemolytic anemia ( 15 Questions)
The nurse reviews the laboratory results and finds a low hemoglobin level, normal mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and elevated reticulocyte count.
Which additional laboratory findings would be consistent with this diagnosis?
Elevated serum bilirubin levels can be seen in hemolytic anemia due to increased breakdown of red blood cells. However, it is not specific to hemolytic anemia and can occur in other conditions as well.
Haptoglobin is a protein that binds to free hemoglobin released from the destruction of red blood cells. In hemolytic anemia, there is increased hemolysis, leading to a decrease in haptoglobin levels as it gets consumed to bind to the released hemoglobin. This is consistent with the clinical picture described in the question.
Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is an enzyme found in various tissues, including red blood cells. Elevated LDH levels can be seen in hemolytic anemia due to the release of LDH from damaged red blood cells. However, LDH elevation is not specific to hemolytic anemia and can occur in other conditions.
The absence of abnormalities in the peripheral blood smear does not rule out hemolytic anemia. Some forms of hemolytic anemia may not show distinct abnormalities in the appearance of red blood cells on a peripheral blood smear.
Choice A rationale:
Elevated serum bilirubin levels can be seen in hemolytic anemia due to increased breakdown of red blood cells.
However, it is not specific to hemolytic anemia and can occur in other conditions as well.
Choice B rationale:
Haptoglobin is a protein that binds to free hemoglobin released from the destruction of red blood cells.
In hemolytic anemia, there is increased hemolysis, leading to a decrease in haptoglobin levels as it gets consumed to bind to the released hemoglobin.
This is consistent with the clinical picture described in the question.
Choice C rationale:
Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is an enzyme found in various tissues, including red blood cells.
Elevated LDH levels can be seen in hemolytic anemia due to the release of LDH from damaged red blood cells.
However, LDH elevation is not specific to hemolytic anemia and can occur in other conditions.
Choice D rationale:
The absence of abnormalities in the peripheral blood smear does not rule out hemolytic anemia.
Some forms of hemolytic anemia may not show distinct abnormalities in the appearance of red blood cells on a peripheral blood smear.