Final answer:
Spherocytes continue to persist after a splenectomy in patients with hereditary spherocytosis because the underlying cause is a membrane defect in the red blood cells, which does not change with the removal of the spleen.
Step-by-step explanation:
Do spherocytes persist following splenectomy in a patient with hereditary spherocytosis? Yes, spherocytes typically persist in the blood even after a patient with hereditary spherocytosis has undergone a splenectomy. Hereditary spherocytosis is a condition where red blood cells become sphere-shaped rather than the normal donut shape. This abnormal shape makes the red blood cells prone to destruction by the spleen. A splenectomy, which is the surgical removal of the spleen is a common treatment to prevent (destruction of red blood cells) and improve symptoms.