OSMT (Ontario Society of Medical Technologists) Practice Exam

Sickle cell disease is identified using:

1. a. sodium metabisulphite

2. b. reduced oxygen tension

3. c. the sickle cell test

4. d. all of the above

The correct answer is: d. all of the above

Sickle cell disease can be identified through multiple methods that focus on the unique properties and behaviors of sickle hemoglobin in different conditions. Sodium metabisulphite is utilized in laboratory testing because it can induce sickling in red blood cells that have hemoglobin S. This is a specific test that helps visualize the presence of sickle-shaped cells under a microscope. Reduced oxygen tension is another relevant aspect. When red blood cells are exposed to lower oxygen levels, hemoglobin S polymerizes, leading to sickling. This physiological response plays a critical role in confirming the diagnosis, as sickling is a hallmark feature of sickle cell disease. The sickle cell test is a specific diagnostic tool that incorporates the above elements to confirm the presence of sickle-shaped cells in the blood, affirming that the patient has sickle cell disease. Given that all these approaches contribute to the identification of sickle cell disease, the most comprehensive answer includes all of these methods. Thus, the correct choice encompasses the entirety of the available identification techniques.