Question

A patient has been diagnosed with anemia. the physician suspects an immune hemolytic anemia and orders a coombs test. the patient asks the nurse what this test will tell the doctor. the nurse replies:

Answer 1

"They are looking for the presence of antibody or complement on the surface of the RBC."
The Coombs test is used to diagnose immune hemolytic anemias. It detects the presence of antibody or complement on the surface of the red cell. Answer choice A refers to direct antiglobulin test (DAT). Answer choice B refers to blood smear test. Answer choice C refers to iron stores test.