In the case of a blood smear indicating lead poisoning, which finding would be present?

In the context of lead poisoning, the hallmark finding on a blood smear is basophilic stippling. This occurs due to the impaired synthesis of heme and the accumulation of ribosomal RNA in red blood cells. Lead interferes with several enzymatic processes involved in the production of hemoglobin, including the formation of porphyrins. The resulting accumulation of ribonucleoprotein complexes leads to the visible stippling seen on the red blood cells.

Basophilic stippling is a classic indicator of lead toxicity and distinguishes it from other types of anemia. While schistocytes, burr cells, and target cells may indicate other hematological conditions, they are not specifically associated with lead poisoning. Schistocytes are often seen in microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, burr cells are typically associated with liver disease or uremia, and target cells are more commonly associated with conditions like thalassemia or liver disease. Thus, the presence of basophilic stippling is a key diagnostic feature of lead poisoning.