An anemia caused by the destruction of red blood cells is known as?

• A. Hemolytic anemia
• B. Hypoproliferative anemia
• C. Megaloblastic anemia
• D. Aplastic anemia

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that this type of anemia results from red blood cell destruction rather than reduced production. When red cells are destroyed faster than the bone marrow can replace them, you get hemolytic anemia. The marrow often responds by increasing production, so reticulocytes are elevated. Lab clues include high lactate dehydrogenase and indirect bilirubin, with low haptoglobin, reflecting the release and cleanup of hemoglobin. Depending on the cause, you may see evidence of intravascular or extravascular hemolysis, and possible jaundice or splenomegaly. This differs from hypoproliferative anemias, where production is the problem (low reticulocytes); megaloblastic anemia, due to impaired DNA synthesis; and aplastic anemia, due to bone marrow failure.