Question

Here's a multiple-choice question (MCQ) format for your query:

When would you perform a corrected reticulocyte count?

A) To assess bone marrow function.

B) To determine hemoglobin concentration.

C) To diagnose vitamin deficiencies.

D) To evaluate red blood cell morphology.

Answer 1

A corrected reticulocyte count is performed to assess bone marrow function by measuring the number of immature red blood cells (reticulocytes) to determine the marrow's RBC production rate.

Step-by-step explanation:

When you perform a corrected reticulocyte count, it's typically to assess bone marrow function. This test measures the number of reticulocytes, which are immature red blood cells (RBCs), to help determine if the bone marrow is producing RBCs at an appropriate rate. The reticulocyte count is particularly useful in the kinetic approach to diagnosing the underlying causes of anemia, which include blood loss, faulty or decreased RBC production, and excessive destruction of RBCs. Since reticulocytes are RBC precursors, their number reflects bone marrow activity. A low reticulocyte count may indicate inadequate production of RBCs, while a high count may be seen in conditions where there is excessive destruction of mature RBCs and the bone marrow is compensating by releasing more immature RBCs.