Anemia is defined as that which?

Anemia is defined as that which?

• A. Decreased white blood cells
• B. Decreased red blood cells
• C. Low platelets
• D. Increased red blood cells

Answer: (C)

Anemia means a deficiency in the red blood cell component of the blood (often shown by low hemoglobin or low hematocrit), which reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen to tissues. It’s about red blood cells, not white blood cells or platelets. A decrease in white blood cells points to leukopenia, a decrease in platelets to thrombocytopenia, and an increase in red blood cells to polycythemia. So the description that fits anemia is decreased red blood cells.

Anemia means a deficiency in the red blood cell component of the blood (often shown by low hemoglobin or low hematocrit), which reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen to tissues. It’s about red blood cells, not white blood cells or platelets. A decrease in white blood cells points to leukopenia, a decrease in platelets to thrombocytopenia, and an increase in red blood cells to polycythemia. So the description that fits anemia is decreased red blood cells.