Final answer:
Alterations in RBC indices refer to changes in the size, shape, and number of red blood cells. Clinicians use two approaches to diagnose and evaluate these alterations: the kinetic approach and the morphological approach. These alterations can have significant effects on the body, impacting the delivery of oxygen to tissues.
Step-by-step explanation:
An alteration in RBC indices refers to changes in the size, shape, and number of red blood cells. Clinicians use two approaches to diagnose and evaluate these alterations. The kinetic approach focuses on the production, destruction, and removal of RBCs, while the morphological approach examines the RBCs themselves, particularly their size.
Various tests can be performed to assess RBC indices. One common test is the mean corpuscular volume (MCV), which measures the size of the RBCs. If the cells are normal-sized, they are referred to as normocytic. Smaller-than-normal cells are called microcytic, and larger-than-normal cells are called macrocytic. Reticulocyte counts can also provide important information about inadequate RBC production.
Alterations in RBC indices can have significant effects on the body's ability to deliver oxygen to tissues, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, lethargy, increased infection risk, and difficulty in thinking clearly. These alterations can be caused by blood loss, faulty or decreased RBC production, or excessive destruction of RBCs.