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

Question 3

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

Answer 3

Normocytic

Question 4

What 2 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 increase in RBC production?

Answer 5

Increase: reticulocytes are newly released “baby” RBCs

Question 6

Auer rods are most commonly associated with what dx?

Answer 6

Acute Myelogenous 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 deficiency 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 dx?

Answer 10

Anemia of chronic disease

Question 11

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

Answer 11

8

Question 12

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

Answer 12

Capsulated organisms like Strep pneumonia and H. flu

Question 13

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

Answer 13

Sickle cell disease

Question 14

How do you tx a sickle cell crisis?

Answer 14

Fluids
oxygen
pain meds
transfusion may be necessary

Question 15

Will unconjugated bilirubin be high or low in a pt c 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 3 dx you should be thinking of if the 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 see 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 micryoctic, normocytic or macrocytic?

Answer 22

Macrocytic

Question 23

You should be thinking alpha thalassemia if the question stem includes which 4 geographic areas?

Answer 23

Southeast Asia
China
Middle East
Africa

Question 24

A pt 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 question 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 2 dx?

Answer 28

B12 deficiency neuropathy

diabetic neuropathy

Question 29

Will the RBCs be large, small or normal size in a B12 deficient anemia?

Answer 29

Macrocytes

Question 30

What is Schilling’s test used for?

Answer 30

Test for the cause of a B12 deficiency

Question 31

Strict vegans are at risk for what type of anemia

Answer 31

B12 deficiency anemia

Question 32

Is sickle cell microcytic, normocytic or macrocytic?

Answer 32

microcytic

Question 33

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

Answer 33

Elevated

Question 34

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

Answer 34

Lead poisoning
beta or alpha thalassemia
sideroblastic anemia
arsenic poisoning

Question 35

Is a question presents a pregnant woman with anemia, what is the most likely dx?

Answer 35

Iron deficiency

Question 36

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

Answer 36

Chronic myeloid leukemia