Hematologic, Autoimmune, and Infectious Disease Clinical Evaluation and
Management Examination: Red Blood Cell Physiology and Oxygen Transport
Pathophysiology in Anemia Syndromes, Diagnostic Hemoglobin and Hematocrit
Thresholds for Adult Anemia Identification, Clinical Symptom Recognition
Including Fatigue Tachycardia Dyspnea and Cognitive Impairment, Complete
Blood Count Interpretation with Mean Corpuscular Volume and Mean
Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration Analysis, Reticulocyte Count
Assessment for Bone Marrow Erythropoietic Activity, Microcytic Anemia
Differential Diagnosis Including Iron Deficiency Thalassemia and Chronic
Inflammatory Disease, Macrocytic Anemia Evaluation Including Vitamin B12 and
Folate Deficiency Etiologies, Normocytic Anemia Associated with Renal
Insufficiency Chronic Disease and Bone Marrow Disorders Exam Questions
Verified and Provided with Complete A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
Definition of anemia
Anemia is strictly defined as a decrease in red blood cell (RBC) mass
•The function of the RBC is to deliver oxygen from the lungs to the tissues and carbon dioxide from the
tissues to the lungs.
•This is accomplished by using hemoglobin
•Anemia impairs the body's ability for gas exchange by decreasing the number of RBCs transporting
oxygen and carbon dioxide
•It always reflects a primary underlying condition
Anemia: subjective findings
•Symptoms of the underlying condition
•Tachycardia
•Fatigue
•Shortness of breath, dyspnea on exertion
•Poor concentration
,•Anorexia
•Dizziness, light-headedness
•Patient may be asymptomatic
Labs will vary on ranges but essentially anemia is diagnosed as:
•Hgb < 13 g/dL in males
•Hgb < 12 g/dL in females
•Hct < 42% or Hgb < 14g in males
•Hct < 36% or Hgb < 12g in females
Approach to evaluation of anemia
Evaluate the following lab values with CBC:
•Hct
•Hgb
•MCV/ MCHC
•Reticulocyte count
If you note Hgb/Hct is low evaluate the MCV:
•Microcytic Anemia MCV < 80fl
•Macrocytic Anemia MCV >96fl
•Normocytic Anemia MCV 80-96 fl
Anemia algorithm - Look at MCV:
•Low: Iron deficiency, anemia of chronic disease, Thalassemia trait, lead poisoning
•Normal: renal insufficiency, pure red cell aplasia, mixed macro-/ micro- cytic anemia, mild to moderate
iron deficiency, physiologic anemia, anemia of chronic disease
•High: Vit B12 deficiency, folate deficiency, hypothyroidism, liver disease, prior cancer treatment
, Anemia algorithm - look at reticulocyte count
Reticulocytes are immature red blood cells. In the process of erythropoiesis, reticulocytes develop and
mature in the bone marrow and then circulate for about a day in the blood stream before developing
into mature red blood cells.
Elevated:
•Blood loss
•Hemolytic anemia
•After treatment of anemia
Microcytic anemia (MCV <80) differentials
Iron deficiency
Thalassemia
Anemia of chronic inflammation
Rare: Sideroblastic anemia (congenital), hemoglobinopathies, aluminum toxicity
Macrocytic anemia (MCV >96) differentals
Vit B12 deficiency
Pernicious anemia
Folate-deficient anemia
Iron deficiency anemia
Causes: most common result of bleeding
Diagnosis:
Management Examination: Red Blood Cell Physiology and Oxygen Transport
Pathophysiology in Anemia Syndromes, Diagnostic Hemoglobin and Hematocrit
Thresholds for Adult Anemia Identification, Clinical Symptom Recognition
Including Fatigue Tachycardia Dyspnea and Cognitive Impairment, Complete
Blood Count Interpretation with Mean Corpuscular Volume and Mean
Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration Analysis, Reticulocyte Count
Assessment for Bone Marrow Erythropoietic Activity, Microcytic Anemia
Differential Diagnosis Including Iron Deficiency Thalassemia and Chronic
Inflammatory Disease, Macrocytic Anemia Evaluation Including Vitamin B12 and
Folate Deficiency Etiologies, Normocytic Anemia Associated with Renal
Insufficiency Chronic Disease and Bone Marrow Disorders Exam Questions
Verified and Provided with Complete A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
Definition of anemia
Anemia is strictly defined as a decrease in red blood cell (RBC) mass
•The function of the RBC is to deliver oxygen from the lungs to the tissues and carbon dioxide from the
tissues to the lungs.
•This is accomplished by using hemoglobin
•Anemia impairs the body's ability for gas exchange by decreasing the number of RBCs transporting
oxygen and carbon dioxide
•It always reflects a primary underlying condition
Anemia: subjective findings
•Symptoms of the underlying condition
•Tachycardia
•Fatigue
•Shortness of breath, dyspnea on exertion
•Poor concentration
,•Anorexia
•Dizziness, light-headedness
•Patient may be asymptomatic
Labs will vary on ranges but essentially anemia is diagnosed as:
•Hgb < 13 g/dL in males
•Hgb < 12 g/dL in females
•Hct < 42% or Hgb < 14g in males
•Hct < 36% or Hgb < 12g in females
Approach to evaluation of anemia
Evaluate the following lab values with CBC:
•Hct
•Hgb
•MCV/ MCHC
•Reticulocyte count
If you note Hgb/Hct is low evaluate the MCV:
•Microcytic Anemia MCV < 80fl
•Macrocytic Anemia MCV >96fl
•Normocytic Anemia MCV 80-96 fl
Anemia algorithm - Look at MCV:
•Low: Iron deficiency, anemia of chronic disease, Thalassemia trait, lead poisoning
•Normal: renal insufficiency, pure red cell aplasia, mixed macro-/ micro- cytic anemia, mild to moderate
iron deficiency, physiologic anemia, anemia of chronic disease
•High: Vit B12 deficiency, folate deficiency, hypothyroidism, liver disease, prior cancer treatment
, Anemia algorithm - look at reticulocyte count
Reticulocytes are immature red blood cells. In the process of erythropoiesis, reticulocytes develop and
mature in the bone marrow and then circulate for about a day in the blood stream before developing
into mature red blood cells.
Elevated:
•Blood loss
•Hemolytic anemia
•After treatment of anemia
Microcytic anemia (MCV <80) differentials
Iron deficiency
Thalassemia
Anemia of chronic inflammation
Rare: Sideroblastic anemia (congenital), hemoglobinopathies, aluminum toxicity
Macrocytic anemia (MCV >96) differentals
Vit B12 deficiency
Pernicious anemia
Folate-deficient anemia
Iron deficiency anemia
Causes: most common result of bleeding
Diagnosis:
