Which test is used to identify autoimmune hemolytic anemia?

• A. Coombs Test
• B. Schilling Test
• C. Bone marrow biopsy
• D. RBC morphology

Answer: (A)

The key idea is detecting antibodies or complement attached to red blood cells, which signals autoimmune targeting. In autoimmune hemolytic anemia, the immune system marks red cells for destruction, so a test that shows these antibodies on the cell surface confirms the diagnosis. The direct Coombs test does this by adding anti-human globulin to the patient’s washed red cells; if antibodies or complement are bound to the cells, they agglutinate, indicating AIHA. The other options aren’t for identifying autoimmune hemolysis: the Schilling test assesses vitamin B12 absorption, a bone marrow biopsy looks at marrow tissue, and RBC morphology by itself shows cell shape but not the autoimmune cause.