The red cell histogram is wider than normal. Which of the ...

[luvbio]

The red cell histogram is wider than normal. Which of the following is true?
 
  a. The red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is decreased.
  b. Most cells are larger than normal.
  c. The coefficient of variation was calculated incorrectly.
  d. Anisocytosis is present.

Question 2

Two different patients both have hemoglobins in the 5.0 to 6.0 g/dL range. One has pallor, fatigue, and headaches, whereas the other is experiencing life-threatening shock. Which of the following is probably the major difference between the two patients?
 
  a. The morphologic classification of the anemia
  b. Whether other cell lines (platelets or white cells) are also involved
  c. The patient's sex
  d. How quickly the anemia developed

[chevyboi1976]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
The coefficient of variation of the red cell histogram is the RDW. Thus when the histogram is broader than usual, the RDW increases.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
When anemia develops slowly, the body is able to make a number of compensations so that the patient may have few if any symptoms. Conversely, if it develops rapidly (e.g., massive blood loss), then symptoms will be evident.