Question

What does an increased reticulocyte count mean? A decreased reticulocyte count?

A) Increased reticulocyte count indicates bone marrow suppression; decreased count suggests active erythropoiesis.

B) Increased reticulocyte count suggests active erythropoiesis; decreased count indicates bone marrow suppression.

C) Increased reticulocyte count indicates iron deficiency anemia; decreased count suggests hemolysis.

D) Increased reticulocyte count indicates vitamin B12 deficiency; decreased count suggests folate deficiency.

Answer 1

An increased reticulocyte count indicates active erythropoiesis, while a decreased count suggests bone marrow suppression, relating to the body's response to anemia or other underlying issues affecting red blood cell production.

Step-by-step explanation:

An increased reticulocyte count suggests that there is an active production of red blood cells (erythropoiesis), which could be the body's response to anemia or blood loss, indicating that the bone marrow is functioning and attempting to replace the lost red blood cells. On the other hand, a decreased reticulocyte count often indicates bone marrow suppression or failure, which may be due to various conditions, including aplastic anemia, radiation, certain medications, and diseases affecting the bone marrow. Therefore, the correct answer is B) Increased reticulocyte count suggests active erythropoiesis; decreased count indicates bone marrow suppression.