ASCP Specialist in Hematology (SH) Practice Exam

The term "anisocytosis" specifically refers to a variation in the size of red blood cells. This condition is often observed in various types of anemia and other hematological disorders, where red blood cells may vary significantly from the normal size range due to underlying pathological processes. The presence of anisocytosis is typically assessed through a peripheral blood smear, where a diverse range of red blood cell sizes can indicate issues such as iron deficiency anemia, vitamin B12 deficiency, or other conditions affecting red cell production and morphology.

In contrast, variations in the shape of red blood cells are described by a different term, 'poikilocytosis.' A decrease in red blood cell count, known as anemia, typically relates to a decrease in the overall quantity rather than the size of individual cells. Lastly, disorders specifically linked to white blood cells fall under a different classification and are not related to anisocytosis, which is exclusively concerned with red blood cell morphology. Thus, recognizing that anisocytosis pertains specifically to size variation clarifies this hematological term.