Which term describes the variation in red cell size observed on a peripheral smear?

The term that accurately describes the variation in red cell size observed on a peripheral smear is anisocytosis. This condition indicates that there is a difference in the diameters of red blood cells, which can be indicative of various underlying health issues, such as anemia or nutritional deficiencies. Anisocytosis can reveal important insights into a patient’s hematological status and assist healthcare providers in diagnosing and managing conditions related to red blood cell production.

In contrast, hypochromia refers to a decrease in the color intensity of red blood cells, typically due to insufficient hemoglobin within the cells and often associated with iron deficiency anemia. Poikilocytosis describes the presence of abnormally shaped red blood cells rather than size variation, indicating changes in cell morphology. Pleocytosis is related to an increased number of cells in the cerebrospinal fluid, commonly associated with conditions affecting the central nervous system, and does not pertain to red blood cells at all. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for accurately interpreting blood smears and addressing hematological disorders.