Final answer:
The statement that normocytic anemia can be caused by either hemolysis or underproduction of red blood cells is true. This can lead to reduced oxygen delivery to tissues and cause various symptoms. Diagnosis involves looking at the kinetics and morphology of RBCs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Normocytic Anemia: Hemolysis or Underproduction
The statement that normocytic anemia is either due to peripheral destruction (hemolysis) or underproduction is true. Normocytic anemia is characterized by the presence of red blood cells (RBCs) that are of normal size, as indicated by a normal mean corpuscle volume (MCV), but a decreased number overall. This condition can arise from two primary causes. One cause is the peripheral destruction of RBCs, known as hemolysis, which can be associated with conditions such as sickle-cell disease or hemolytic disease of the newborn. The other cause is underproduction of RBCs in the bone marrow, which can occur in conditions such as aplastic anemia or myelofibrosis, where there is a deficiency in RBC stem cells or impaired hematopoiesis due to scarring and inflammation in the bone marrow, respectively.
These results in reduced oxygen delivery to body tissues, causing symptoms such as fatigue, lethargy, and an increased risk for infection, among others. Diagnosing the type of anemia involves examining both the kinetic and morphological aspects of red blood cells, and treatments vary depending on the underlying cause.