RBC ABNORMALITIES Exam 2026
Questions and Answers
When assessing RBC morphology it is important to observe cells in the correct
area of the smear. This slide demonstrates thin and thick areas in contrast to the
correct area in the center. - Correct answer-
02. Normocytic - Correct answer-The normal red cell may vary in size from 6 to 8
u and is termed normocytic.
03. Macrocytic - Correct answer-The general term used to describe a variation in
the size of RBCs outside of the normal limits is anisocytosis. The measured value
correlating with anisocytosis is the RDW. A cell >9u is termed a macrocyte. These
cells are often observed in liver disease.
04. Macroovalocytes - Correct answer-Macroovalocytes can be seen in this slide
and are the result of megaloblastic cell proliferation as seen in B12 and folic acid
deficiencies.
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, 05. Newborn Macrocytes - Correct answer-Macrocytes may also be observed in the
blood of infants and is called "physiologic macrocytosis". This may persist for ~ 2
months.
06. Microcytic - Correct answer-RBCs <6u are termed microcytes and are
commonly seen in iron deficiency anemia. Use the nucleus of a small mature
lymphocyte to judge red cell size.
07. Discocyte - Correct answer-Mature RBCs are non-nucleated biconcave disks.
The general term used to describe variation in shape is "poikilocytosis".
08. Echinocyte BURR CELL CRENATED - Correct answer-10-30 short spicules
or projections evenly spaced and UNIFORM.
MAY BE AN ARTIFACT
Uremia, pyruvate kinase deficiency, bleeding ulcer, carcinoma of the stomach
This cell type may be called an echinocyte or Burr cell. It can be identified by the
small uniform projections around the cell. This shape change is thought to be the
result of of an increase in the area of the outer leaflet of lipid bilayer as compared
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
Questions and Answers
When assessing RBC morphology it is important to observe cells in the correct
area of the smear. This slide demonstrates thin and thick areas in contrast to the
correct area in the center. - Correct answer-
02. Normocytic - Correct answer-The normal red cell may vary in size from 6 to 8
u and is termed normocytic.
03. Macrocytic - Correct answer-The general term used to describe a variation in
the size of RBCs outside of the normal limits is anisocytosis. The measured value
correlating with anisocytosis is the RDW. A cell >9u is termed a macrocyte. These
cells are often observed in liver disease.
04. Macroovalocytes - Correct answer-Macroovalocytes can be seen in this slide
and are the result of megaloblastic cell proliferation as seen in B12 and folic acid
deficiencies.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
, 05. Newborn Macrocytes - Correct answer-Macrocytes may also be observed in the
blood of infants and is called "physiologic macrocytosis". This may persist for ~ 2
months.
06. Microcytic - Correct answer-RBCs <6u are termed microcytes and are
commonly seen in iron deficiency anemia. Use the nucleus of a small mature
lymphocyte to judge red cell size.
07. Discocyte - Correct answer-Mature RBCs are non-nucleated biconcave disks.
The general term used to describe variation in shape is "poikilocytosis".
08. Echinocyte BURR CELL CRENATED - Correct answer-10-30 short spicules
or projections evenly spaced and UNIFORM.
MAY BE AN ARTIFACT
Uremia, pyruvate kinase deficiency, bleeding ulcer, carcinoma of the stomach
This cell type may be called an echinocyte or Burr cell. It can be identified by the
small uniform projections around the cell. This shape change is thought to be the
result of of an increase in the area of the outer leaflet of lipid bilayer as compared
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
