Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle Cell Disease ( 15 Questions)
Which laboratory test is essential for confirming the diagnosis and identifying the presence of abnormal hemoglobins?
A is not the essential test for confirming the diagnosis.
Peripheral blood smear. Rationale: A peripheral blood smear can be useful in assessing the morphology of red blood cells, but it may not be specific enough to confirm the presence of abnormal hemoglobins or sickle cell disease definitively. It can provide supportive evidence but is not the primary diagnostic test.
Solubility test or sickling test. Rationale: The solubility test or sickling test is essential for confirming the diagnosis of sickle cell disease and identifying the presence of abnormal hemoglobins, specifically hemoglobin S (HbS) This test is the gold standard for diagnosing SCD, making choice C the correct answer.
Imaging studies, such as a chest x-ray. Rationale: Imaging studies like chest x-rays are not used as primary diagnostic tools for sickle cell disease. They may be employed to assess complications such as acute chest syndrome or other respiratory issues associated with SCD, but they do not confirm the diagnosis or identify abnormal hemoglobins.
Choice A rationale:
Complete blood count (CBC)
Rationale: A CBC is a standard blood test that provides information about the number and types of blood cells in the patient's circulation.
While it can help diagnose anemia, it does not confirm the presence of abnormal hemoglobins or sickle cell disease.
Choice A is not the essential test for confirming the diagnosis.
Choice B rationale:
Peripheral blood smear.
Rationale: A peripheral blood smear can be useful in assessing the morphology of red blood cells, but it may not be specific enough to confirm the presence of abnormal hemoglobins or sickle cell disease definitively.
It can provide supportive evidence but is not the primary diagnostic test.
Choice C rationale:
Solubility test or sickling test.
Rationale: The solubility test or sickling test is essential for confirming the diagnosis of sickle cell disease and identifying the presence of abnormal hemoglobins, specifically hemoglobin S (HbS)
This test is the gold standard for diagnosing SCD, making choice C the correct answer.
Choice D rationale:
Imaging studies, such as a chest x-ray.
Rationale: Imaging studies like chest x-rays are not used as primary diagnostic tools for sickle cell disease.
They may be employed to assess complications such as acute chest syndrome or other respiratory issues associated with SCD, but they do not confirm the diagnosis or identify abnormal hemoglobins.