1.

What is the normal Hb concentration Adults Males-13 to 18g/dl

      Adults Females-12 to 16 g/dl
      Children-12-14 g/dl
      Infants-16 to 22g/dl
2. Name the various methods for Hb estimation
 Acid hematin(sahlis method)
Cyanmethemoglobin method (calorimetric)
Oxyhemoglobin method
Alkali hematin method
Halden  carboxy haemoglobin method
Gasometric method
Specific gravity method
Tallquist method
Auto analyzers
3. Which is the best method for Hb estimation
Cyanmethemoglobin method
4. Which anticoagulant should be used for Hb estimation
Ethylenediamine tetra acetic acid(EDTA)
5. How much quantity of EDTA Should be Used for 1 ml of blood
1.0- 1.2 mg/ml of blood
6. How N/10 HCL is prepared
Concentrated HCl-4.5 ml
Distilled Water-500ml
To make 500 ml of N/10 HCL
7. What difference would it make if N/10 HCL is taken above or below the 20%
mark?
If N/10 HCL more – The colour of undiluted solution may be lighter than
standard.
If N/10 HCL less –All haemoglobin will not get converted.
8. What is the principle of sahlis method
Hemoglobin is converted by HCl into acid haematin which gives brown colur to
solution
This colour of the solution is matched with the colour of the comparator of
sahlis haemoglobinometer
9. What is the procedure of Acid hematin method
N/10 HCl is taken up to 20 mark of the gratuated tube
About 20 cc of blood is taken in the hemoglobin pipette
The tip of pipette is wiped with blotting paper
The blood is added to the HCl in the Hemoglobinometre  tube
 Wait for 10 minutes and then add distilled water drop by drop till the colour
matches with the colour of  comparator of sahlis haemoglobinometer
 Haemoglobin is expressed in gm%
10. In sahlis method ,why do we wait for 10 minutes after mixing blood with
acid
RBCs are lysed and Hb gets converted in to acid haematin completely
11. In sahlis Hb meter apparatus, why are square tube and flat comparator
glasses preferred?
It is easier to compare adjoining flat surfaces ex: Square tube with
acid haematin with flat brown surface on either side. Error due to curvature is
avoided
12. Which precaution should be taken during the procedure
Wait for atleast 10 min for formation of Acid hematin
Tap water cannot be used as the pH varies and accurate values may not be
obtained
Remove stirrer while adding distilled water and also while taking reading
Hemoglobinometer should be hold at the eye level against good light and
lower meniscus of the Hemoglobinometer tube solution should be considered.
13. Why N/10 HCL used in Sahlis method
Brown colour of the comparator glass is equivalent to the colour of acid
haematin produced using  N/10 Hcl for blood sample of 14.8 gm%. Test
solution is compared against it. Therefore no other strength of HCL Should be
used
14. What are the advantages of Sahlis method
Simple bed side test
Reagents and apparatus are cheap
Easy to perform
Quick and inexpensive
15. What are the disadvantages of Sahlis method
Time factor
The color of acid hematin fades quickly with passage of time
Color of the standard comparator fades with passage of time
Acid hematin solution is not stable
Color Matching: Variation from person to person in matching the color
Technical errors:
Improper mixing of blood
Tissue fluid containing capillary blood
Errors in pipette calibration ,sample and equipment,
Cannot estimate all different types of haemoglobin(carboxy, meth,and supha)
This method is not suitable for fetal haemoglobin which is not converted in to
acid hematin
Non hemoglobin substances like protein and lipids in the plasma influence the
colour of the blood that is diluted with acid
16. How much blood is used in cyanmet Hb estimation method
20 microliter
17. Which reagent is used in cyanmet Hb method?
Drabkin solution
18. Drabkin solution composition?
Drabkin’s solution PH-7.0-7.4
Potassium cyanide – 50mg
Potassium ferricyanide – 200mg
Potassium dihydrogen phosphate – 200mg
Distilled water 1L,
Non ionic detergent  1ml.
The final solution should be clear and pale yellow in colour.
19. What is the principle of cyan met Hb method
First Hb is converted to methemoglobin by potassium ferricyanide and then
KCN converts it to cyanmethemoglobin
20. Advantages of cyanmethemoglobin method
All forms of Hb except sulphemoglobin are
converted cyanmethemoglobin (HiCN)
Visual error is not there as no colour matching is required
Cyanmethaemoglobin solution is stable and its colour does not fade with time
so readings may not be taken immediately
A reliable and  reference standard is available from world health organisation
for direct comparison
21. In cell counters what is the chemical used(cyanide free) for estimation of
hemoglobin
Sodium Lauryl sulphate is used and it rapidly converts Hb into
detectable chromogen
22. Define anemia
It is a Pathological condition characterized by decrease in oxygen carrying
capacity of blood manifested by  decreased Hb concentration, reduced RBC
count and packed cell volume
23. How will you classify anemia
  On the basis of morphology
Normocytic normochromic
Microcytic hypochromic
Macrocytic hypochromic / normochromic
According to underlying mechanism
Anemia due to blood loss
Anemias due to increased rate of destruction
Anemias  due to impaired red cell production
24. What are the indications of haemoglobin estimation?
To determine presence and severity of anaemia
Screening for polycythemia
To assess response to specific therapy in anaemia
Estimation of red cell indices
Selection of blood donars
25. Conditions where Hb is decreased
Anemia
Auto immune diseases
water retention(pregnancy, edema)
Blood loss(bleeding,internal hemorrhage)
Parasitic infection
Drugs
Lead poisoning
Dietary deficiency(iron,cu,vitamins)
Malabsorption of nutrients
Chronic disease
26. Conditions where Hb is increased
High altitude
Severe vomiting  or diarrhoea(hemoconcentration)
Infants
Smoking
Polycythaemia vera
Obstructive lung disease
Congestive heart disease
Splenic hypo function
27. Name some tumors which cause rise in hemoglobin values
 Leiomyoma uterus
Renal cell carcinoma
Liver tumors(Hepato cellular carcinoma)
Cerebellar hemangioblastoma
28. What are the abnormal haemoglobins
Hb S,Hb C,Hb D.Hb E
29. What are conditions that come under hemoglobinopathies
Sickle cell anemia,Thalassemia