Hematology

Question 1

What is the normal range for MCV?

Answer 1

80-100

Question 2

What is the most common microcytic anemia?

Answer 2

Iron deficiency anemia

Question 3

Would anemia of chronic disease most likely be macrocytic, normocytic or microcytic?

Answer 3

Normocytic

Question 4

What two main causes should you be thinking of in a macrocytic anemia?

Answer 4

Malnutrition and severe blood loss

Question 5

Does an increase in reticulocytes indicate a decrease or an increase in RBC production?

Answer 5

An increase, reticulocytes are newly released “baby” RBC’s

Question 6

Auer rods are most commonly associated with what disease?

Answer 6

Acute myeloid leukemia

Question 7

What molecule binds iron in the blood stream?

Answer 7

Transferrin

Question 8

What does koilonychia refer to?

Answer 8

Spoon-shaped nails which may be found in microcytic anemia.

Question 9

Will the serum ferritin be high or low in a patient with iron deficient anemia?

Answer 9

It will almost always be low.

Question 10

A low retic count and a normal serum ferritin should make you think of what diagnosis?

Answer 10

Anemia of chronic disease

Question 11

Under normal conditions at what hemoglobin level would you begin to consider a transfusion?

Answer 11

7

Question 12

Asplenism secondary to sickle cell disease increases a patient’s risk for what type of infections?

Answer 12

Capsulated organisms like Strep pneumo and H. flu

Question 13

An African American teenager presents with avascular necrosis of the his right femoral head. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Answer 13

Sickle cell disease

Question 14

How do you treat a sickle cell crisis?

Answer 14

• Fluids,
• Oxygen,
• Pain medication,
• Transfusion may be necessary

Question 15

Will unconjugated bilirubin be high or low in a patient with sickle cell disease?

Answer 15

High

Question 16

Which anemia should you think of if you see the term Howell-Jolly bodies?

Answer 16

Sickle cell due to the functional asplenia, but it may also show up in folic acid deficiency.

Question 17

G6PD deficiency follows what pattern of inheritance?

Answer 17

X- linked

Question 18

List the three diagnosis you should be thinking of if a question includes Heinz bodies.

Answer 18

• G6PD deficiency anemia,
• Chronic liver disease,
• Alpha thalassemia

Question 19

What is pica?

Answer 19

Eating non-food items including ice, paper, dirt, hair.

Question 20

Are target cells seen in mild or severe iron deficiency anemia?

Answer 20

Severe

They are also seen in

    - Alpha thalassemia, 
    - Chronic liver disease 
    - Asplenia.

Question 21

Iron deficiency anemia will have a serum iron lower than what value?

Answer 21

30

Question 22

Would a B12 deficiency anemia most likely be microcytic, normocytic or macrocytic?

Answer 22

Macrocytic

Question 23

You should be thinking alpha thalassemia if the question stem includes which four geographic areas?

Answer 23

• Southeast Asia,
• China,
• Middle East,
• Africa

Question 24

A patient of Mediterranean descent is a clue for which type of anemia?

Answer 24

Beta thalassemia

Question 25

In a folic acid deficiency anemia the folic acid level is typically below what level?

Answer 25

<150

Question 26

What hematological disorder should you think of if the questions talks about the patient eating ice or dirt?

Answer 26

Iron deficiency anemia

Question 27

Inability to absorb vitamin B12 due to lack of intrinsic factor is what disease?

Answer 27

Pernicious anemia

Question 28

Stocking glove paresthesias should make you think of what two diagnoses?

Answer 28

B12 deficiency neuropathy and diabetic neuropathy

Question 29

Will the RBC’s be large, small or normal size in a B12 deficient anemia?

Answer 29

Macrocytes

Question 30

Will the retic count be elevated, decreased or normal in a B12 deficient anemia?

Answer 30

Retic count will be low. Low building blocks means low production.

Question 31

What is Schilling’s test used for?

Answer 31

Test for the cause of a B12 deficiency.

Question 32

Strict vegans are at risk for what type of anemia?

Answer 32

B12 deficiency anemia

Question 33

Is sickle cell microcytic, macrocytic or normocytic?

Answer 33

Microcytic

Question 34

Will a hemolytic anemia generally have an elevated or decreased retic count?

Answer 34

Elevated

Question 35

List four disease states in which you may find basophilic stippling.

Answer 35

• Lead poisoning,
• beta or alpha thalassemia,
• Sideroblastic anemia,
• Arsenic poisoning

Question 36

If a question presents a pregnant woman with anemia what is the most likely diagnosis?

Answer 36

Iron deficiency

Question 37

The term Philadelphia chromosome should make you think of what diagnosis?

Answer 37

Chronic myeloid leukemia