Anemia

Question 1

What is anemia?

Answer 1

A decrease in red blood cell (RBC) mass

Question 2

What is the WHO cutoff for anemia in adult males?

Answer 2

Hemoglobin <13 g/dL.

Question 3

What is the WHO cutoff for anemia in non-pregnant women?

Answer 3

Hemoglobin <12 g/dL.

Question 4

What is the WHO cutoff for anemia in pregnant women?

Answer 4

Hemoglobin <11 g/dL.

Question 5

What is the most common cause of anemia globally?

Answer 5

Iron deficiency.

Question 6

What are the three main classifications of anemia based on pathophysiology?

Answer 6

Decreased production

Question 7

What is the most common type of anemia?

Answer 7

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA).

Question 8

What is the hallmark of microcytic anemia?

Answer 8

Low mean corpuscular volume (MCV <80 fL).

Question 9

What are the common causes of microcytic anemia?

Answer 9

Iron deficiency

Question 10

What is the hallmark of macrocytic anemia?

Answer 10

High mean corpuscular volume (MCV >100 fL).

Question 11

What are the common causes of macrocytic anemia?

Answer 11

Vitamin B12 deficiency

Question 12

What is the hallmark of normocytic anemia?

Answer 12

Normal mean corpuscular volume (MCV 80-100 fL).

Question 13

What are the common causes of normocytic anemia?

Answer 13

Hemolysis

Question 14

What is the most common cause of iron deficiency anemia (IDA)?

Answer 14

Chronic blood loss (e.g.

Question 15

What is the most common symptom of iron deficiency anemia (IDA)?

Answer 15

Fatigue.

Question 16

What is pica?

Answer 16

A craving for non-nutritive substances (e.g.

Question 17

What is the most specific test for diagnosing iron deficiency anemia (IDA)?

Answer 17

Serum ferritin (low in IDA).

Question 18

What is the normal range for serum ferritin?

Answer 18

12-300 ng/mL (varies by lab).

Question 19

What is the treatment for iron deficiency anemia (IDA)?

Answer 19

Oral iron supplementation (e.g.

Question 20

How long should oral iron therapy be continued after hemoglobin normalizes?

Answer 20

6-12 months to replenish iron stores.

Question 21

What is the most common side effect of oral iron therapy?

Answer 21

Gastrointestinal distress (e.g.

Question 22

What is the alternative to oral iron therapy in patients who cannot tolerate it?

Answer 22

Parenteral (IV) iron therapy.

Question 23

What is the most common cause of vitamin B12 deficiency?

Answer 23

Pernicious anemia (autoimmune destruction of gastric parietal cells).

Question 24

What is the most common symptom of vitamin B12 deficiency?

Answer 24

Neurologic symptoms (e.g.

Question 25

What is the treatment for vitamin B12 deficiency?

Answer 25

Vitamin B12 injections (intramuscular or subcutaneous).

Question 26

What is the most common cause of folate deficiency?

Answer 26

Poor dietary intake (e.g.

Question 27

What is the treatment for folate deficiency?

Answer 27

Oral folic acid supplementation.

Question 28

What is the most common cause of anemia of chronic disease (ACD)?

Answer 28

Chronic inflammation (e.g.

Question 29

What is the key mechanism of anemia of chronic disease (ACD)?

Answer 29

Increased hepcidin levels

Question 30

What is the treatment for anemia of chronic disease (ACD)?

Answer 30

Erythropoietin (EPO) therapy and treating the underlying condition.

Question 31

What is the target hemoglobin level for erythropoietin (EPO) therapy in chronic kidney disease (CKD)?

Answer 31

10-12 g/dL.

Question 32

What is the most common cause of hemolytic anemia?

Answer 32

Autoimmune hemolysis (e.g.

Question 33

What is the hallmark of hemolytic anemia?

Answer 33

Elevated reticulocyte count and indirect bilirubin.

Question 34

What is the treatment for autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA)?

Answer 34

Corticosteroids (e.g.

Question 35

What is the most common cause of anemia in sickle cell disease?

Answer 35

Chronic hemolysis.

Question 36

What is the treatment for anemia in sickle cell disease?

Answer 36

Blood transfusions and hydroxyurea.

Question 37

What is the most common cause of anemia in thalassemia?

Answer 37

Reduced or absent synthesis of globin chains (alpha or beta).

Question 38

What is the treatment for thalassemia major?

Answer 38

Regular blood transfusions and iron chelation therapy.

Question 39

What is the most common cause of anemia in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)?

Answer 39

Ineffective erythropoiesis.

Question 40

What is the treatment for anemia in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)?

Answer 40

Erythropoietin (EPO) therapy and blood transfusions.

Question 41

What is the most common cause of anemia in hypothyroidism?

Answer 41

Reduced erythropoietin (EPO) production.

Question 42

What is the treatment for anemia in hypothyroidism?

Answer 42

Levothyroxine (thyroid hormone replacement).

Question 43

What is the most common cause of anemia in chronic liver disease?

Answer 43

Anemia of chronic disease (ACD) and folate deficiency.

Question 44

What is the treatment for anemia in chronic liver disease?

Answer 44

Treat the underlying liver disease and provide folate supplementation if deficient.

Question 45

What is the most common cause of anemia in pregnancy?

Answer 45

Iron deficiency due to increased demand.

Question 46

What is the treatment for anemia in pregnancy?

Answer 46

Oral iron supplementation and dietary changes.

Question 47

What is the most common cause of anemia in the elderly?

Answer 47

Chronic disease (e.g.

Question 48

What is the treatment for anemia in the elderly?

Answer 48

Treat the underlying cause (e.g.

Question 49

What is the most common cause of anemia in vegetarians?

Answer 49

Vitamin B12 deficiency due to lack of animal products.

Question 50

What is the treatment for anemia in vegetarians?

Answer 50

Vitamin B12 supplementation (oral or injections).