Which one of the following statements concerning hemolytic anemia is false?

In cases of hemolytic anemia, serum haptoglobin levels actually decrease rather than increase. This is because haptoglobin binds free hemoglobin released into the circulation from lysed red blood cells. When hemolysis occurs, the haptoglobin-hemoglobin complex is rapidly cleared from the circulation, leading to a reduction in haptoglobin levels. This is a key laboratory finding that helps differentiate hemolytic anemia from other types of anemia.

In contrast, the other statements are accurate representations of hemolytic anemia. The red blood cells (RBCs) are typically normocytic and normochromic due to the anemia being classified as acute and not due to nutrient deficiencies or chronic disease, which might cause microcytic or macrocytic changes. Increased indirect bilirubin levels result from the breakdown of hemoglobin, leading to elevated bilirubin since the liver may struggle to process the excess of it. Additionally, hemoglobin levels can indeed be decreased owing to the increased destruction of RBCs that characterizes hemolytic anemia.