If a patient has anemia, what is the next step in evaluating their condition?

Evaluating a patient with anemia requires a systematic approach to identify the underlying cause. The correct next step is to look at red blood cell (RBC) indices to classify the anemia. This classification helps determine the type of anemia, which can guide further diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.

RBC indices include metrics such as mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC). By analyzing these indices, healthcare providers can distinguish between microcytic, macrocytic, and normocytic anemias. This classification is crucial because each type often points to different underlying causes—iron deficiency, vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, chronic disease, etc.

Other choices, such as measuring blood glucose levels, repeating the hemoglobin test, or performing a lipid panel, do not directly address the diagnosis or classification of anemia. Blood glucose testing is more relevant for diabetes management and has no direct impact on anemia evaluation. While retesting hemoglobin levels could clarify any discrepancies in results, it does not provide information on the type or cause of the anemia. A lipid panel is unrelated to anemia evaluation, focusing instead on cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Overall, classifying the anemia through