The peripheral blood smear of a patient with anemia reveals normocytic, normochromic RBCs and the RPI is

Question

The peripheral blood smear of a patient with anemia reveals normocytic, normochromic RBCs and the RPI is <2. Which of the following is likely to be the cause of the anemia?
A) Thalassemia
B) Chronic inflammation
C) Sickle cell anemia
D) Porphyrias

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

- Normocytic, normochromic RBCs indicate a lack of abnormal size or shape, which points away from thalassemia (microcytic) and sickle cell anemia (abnormally shaped).
- A RPI (reticulocyte production index) of <2 means that the bone marrow is not producing enough new RBCs in response to the anemia, pointing away from porphyrias (which may have a high RPI due to increased erythropoiesis).
- Chronic inflammation can cause anemia of chronic disease, which is normocytic and normochromic, and can cause a low RPI. Therefore, B is the most likely answer.

The Peripheral Blood Smear of a Patient with Anemia Reveals