If MCHC/MCH is normal, cells are what?

If MCHC/MCH is normal, cells are what?

• A. Hyperchromic
• B. Hypochromic
• C. Normochromic
• D. Anemic

Answer: (C)

MCH and MCHC measure how much hemoglobin each red blood cell contains and how concentrated it is inside the cell. When both values are normal, this means each cell has the typical amount of hemoglobin and normal color, so the cells are described as normochromic. If cells were hyperchromic, they would appear darker due to more hemoglobin per cell (a higher-than-normal hemoglobin content per cell). If they were hypochromic, they would look paler because they have less hemoglobin per cell. Anemia refers to a broader condition of reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, which can occur with normal-colored cells if overall red blood cell mass is low, or with many other combinations, but it doesn’t specify the per-cell color.

MCH and MCHC measure how much hemoglobin each red blood cell contains and how concentrated it is inside the cell. When both values are normal, this means each cell has the typical amount of hemoglobin and normal color, so the cells are described as normochromic.

If cells were hyperchromic, they would appear darker due to more hemoglobin per cell (a higher-than-normal hemoglobin content per cell). If they were hypochromic, they would look paler because they have less hemoglobin per cell. Anemia refers to a broader condition of reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, which can occur with normal-colored cells if overall red blood cell mass is low, or with many other combinations, but it doesn’t specify the per-cell color.