NURS 5432 Anemia Updated Questions and Correct
answers
What does MCV measure? - Average size of red blood cells.
What MCV value defines microcytic anemia? - Less than 80.
What MCV value defines macrocytic anemia? - Greater than 100.
What does MCHC measure? - Hemoglobin concentration (color) inside RBCs.
What is the normal MCHC range? - 32-36%.
What does hypochromic mean? - MCHC <32% (pale RBCs).
What does hyperchromic mean? - MCHC >36%.
What does RDW measure? - Variation in RBC size (anisocytosis).
Which anemia has elevated RDW: IDA or thalassemia? - Iron deficiency anemia.
What does reticulocyte count measure? - Bone marrow response (new RBC
production).
, What are the 3 main causes of IDA? - Decreased intake, increased demand
(pregnancy/growth), blood loss.
What are key lab findings in IDA? - ↓ Hgb, ↓ MCV, ↓ MCHC, ↑ RDW, ↓ ferritin,
↑ TIBC, ↓ serum iron.
What happens to ferritin in IDA? - It decreases.
What happens to TIBC in IDA? - It increases.
How much should hemoglobin rise with proper iron treatment? - 1 g/dL every 2-
3 weeks.
How long should iron therapy continue after levels normalize? - 2-3 months.
What is the adult elemental iron dose? - 65-130 mg/day.
What is the pediatric elemental iron dose? - 3-6 mg/kg/day.
What increases iron absorption? - Vitamin C.
What decreases iron absorption? - PPIs and antacids.
What is a common side effect of oral iron? - Constipation.
, When is IV iron indicated? - Malabsorption, bariatric surgery, IBD, failure of oral
therapy.
Is anemia of chronic disease usually microcytic or normocytic? - Normocytic.
What happens to ferritin in anemia of chronic disease? - It increases.
What happens to TIBC in anemia of chronic disease? - It decreases.
What inflammatory markers may be elevated? - ESR and CRP.
What is the treatment of anemia of chronic disease? - Treat underlying cause,
epoetin alfa, transfusion if severe.
What type of anemia is B12 deficiency? - Macrocytic.
What causes B12 deficiency? - Lack of intrinsic factor, Crohn's, celiac, vegetarian
diet, alcoholism, surgery.
What is pernicious anemia? - Lack of intrinsic factor causing B12 deficiency.
What are classic neurologic symptoms of B12 deficiency? - Paresthesias, ataxia,
decreased reflexes.
What lab confirms B12 deficiency? - B12 <200 pg/mL and elevated
methylmalonic acid (MMA).
answers
What does MCV measure? - Average size of red blood cells.
What MCV value defines microcytic anemia? - Less than 80.
What MCV value defines macrocytic anemia? - Greater than 100.
What does MCHC measure? - Hemoglobin concentration (color) inside RBCs.
What is the normal MCHC range? - 32-36%.
What does hypochromic mean? - MCHC <32% (pale RBCs).
What does hyperchromic mean? - MCHC >36%.
What does RDW measure? - Variation in RBC size (anisocytosis).
Which anemia has elevated RDW: IDA or thalassemia? - Iron deficiency anemia.
What does reticulocyte count measure? - Bone marrow response (new RBC
production).
, What are the 3 main causes of IDA? - Decreased intake, increased demand
(pregnancy/growth), blood loss.
What are key lab findings in IDA? - ↓ Hgb, ↓ MCV, ↓ MCHC, ↑ RDW, ↓ ferritin,
↑ TIBC, ↓ serum iron.
What happens to ferritin in IDA? - It decreases.
What happens to TIBC in IDA? - It increases.
How much should hemoglobin rise with proper iron treatment? - 1 g/dL every 2-
3 weeks.
How long should iron therapy continue after levels normalize? - 2-3 months.
What is the adult elemental iron dose? - 65-130 mg/day.
What is the pediatric elemental iron dose? - 3-6 mg/kg/day.
What increases iron absorption? - Vitamin C.
What decreases iron absorption? - PPIs and antacids.
What is a common side effect of oral iron? - Constipation.
, When is IV iron indicated? - Malabsorption, bariatric surgery, IBD, failure of oral
therapy.
Is anemia of chronic disease usually microcytic or normocytic? - Normocytic.
What happens to ferritin in anemia of chronic disease? - It increases.
What happens to TIBC in anemia of chronic disease? - It decreases.
What inflammatory markers may be elevated? - ESR and CRP.
What is the treatment of anemia of chronic disease? - Treat underlying cause,
epoetin alfa, transfusion if severe.
What type of anemia is B12 deficiency? - Macrocytic.
What causes B12 deficiency? - Lack of intrinsic factor, Crohn's, celiac, vegetarian
diet, alcoholism, surgery.
What is pernicious anemia? - Lack of intrinsic factor causing B12 deficiency.
What are classic neurologic symptoms of B12 deficiency? - Paresthesias, ataxia,
decreased reflexes.
What lab confirms B12 deficiency? - B12 <200 pg/mL and elevated
methylmalonic acid (MMA).
