Certified Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurse (CPHON) Practice Exam

In glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD), one of the key lab findings that indicates a compensatory response to anemia is an elevated reticulocyte count. Reticulocytes are immature red blood cells that are released by the bone marrow into the bloodstream in response to increased demand for red blood cells, often due to anemia.

When an individual's red blood cell count is low, which occurs during hemolytic events related to G6PD deficiency, the body attempts to compensate by producing more red blood cells. This compensatory mechanism involves the production of reticulocytes in the bone marrow. A higher reticulocyte count reflects this increased production, indicating that the marrow is responding appropriately to the anemia.

This understanding of reticulocyte response is crucial in assessing the bone marrow's ability to respond to anemia, showing that there is active hematopoiesis occurring despite the underlying condition.

The other lab findings such as decreased reticulocyte count, increased white blood cell count, or normal hemoglobin levels would not suggest an effective compensatory response to anemia.