What would you expect to see on microscopic examination of a stained blood smear if the patient has had a splenectomy and why?

What will be an ideal response?


Answer: You would expect to see erythrocyte inclusions such as Howell-Jolly bodies and Pappenheimer bodies and in some cases abnormal erythrocyte shapes. This is because the spleen is responsible for pitting inclusions from RBCs and culling abnormal RBCs. The liver can remove some of these abnormal cells but is not as effective as the spleen in doing so.

Health Professions

You might also like to view...

A(n) ________ ad does NOT identify the institution or facility that placed the ad.

A. hidden B. blind C. secret D. unidentified

Health Professions

What should you do before performing stretches on a body area?

A) Perform percussion to loosen up the joint. B) Warm the soft tissues with massage. C) Apply an ice pack for 5 minutes. D) Remind the recipient that "no pain, no gain."

Health Professions

Which of the following is the least frequent cause of acute respiratory failure needing mechanical ventilation?

a. Sepsis b. Postoperative respiratory failure c. Heart failure d. Aspiration

Health Professions

From which ancient custom do wakes held today originate?

A. watching the spirit of the deceased return to its resting place B. keeping watch over the deceased hoping life would return C. keeping watch so the deceased does not harm the living D. keeping watch so the spirit of the deceased feels loved E. follows church requirements

Health Professions