Medicine- Hematology

Question 1

What happens to the EPO, Plasma volume, RBC mass and SaO2 in Polycythemia Vera (JAK2 mutation)

Answer 1

Plasma Volume & RBC mass will increase, EPO will decrease and SaO2 will be normal

A mutation in the JAK2 gene leads to uncontrolled, EPO-independent proliferation of the myeloid cell lines, resulting in increased blood cell mass. In patients with PV, increased red blood cell mass suppresses secretion of EPO by the kidneys, resulting in low EPO levels, which is an important diagnostic marker of the disease.

Question 2

What is anisocytosis?

Answer 2

The appearance of erythrocytes of different sizes on a peripheral blood smear.

Question 3

What is the strongest predictor of poor prognosis in CLL?

Answer 3

Patients with thrombocytopenia (< 100,000/μL), have the worst prognosis among individuals with CLL (median survival time of 19 months).

Question 4

What can increase your risk of developing CLL

Answer 4

Exposure to organic solvents, e.g., working in a factory producing shoes, increases the risk of developing hematological conditions such as CLL

Question 5

1st line Treatment for hairy cell leukemia

Answer 5

cladribine is the first-line treatment for hairy cell leukemia.

Question 6

2 Common infections common in Multiple Myeloma

Answer 6

UTIs & Pneumonia

due to the uncontrolled production of ineffective, monoclonal immunoglobulins (commonly IgA and IgG) and lymphocyte dysfunction.

Question 7

Cornstarch, ice, and earth/soil are common forms of what type of condition in women?

Answer 7

Pica

Question 8

Pica next best step in management?

Answer 8

CBC

Question 9

What would be the preferred treatment for a 63-year-old man presenting with severe symptoms due to CLL.

Answer 9

fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab

Question 10

The presence of jaundice, normocytic anemia, and splenomegaly in a child with raised MCHC and RDW and laboratory findings of hemolytic anemia

Answer 10

Hereditary spherocytosis

Question 11

Is testing for anti-platelet antibodies recommended for ITP diagnosis

Answer 11

No

Question 12

What screening is recommended for distinguishing between primary and secondary ITP and is important for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

Answer 12

HCV screening is recommended in all patients suspected of having ITP

Question 13

Which cancers are Philadelphia chromosome positive cancer and what is the treatment

Answer 13

ALL and CML

treat with Imatinib

Question 14

Features of intravascular hemolysis

Answer 14

Reticulocytosis, elevated LDH, decreased haptoglobin, and hemoglobinuria (blood in urinalysis).

Question 15

What is Exertional hemoglobinuria (“March hemoglobinuria”),

Answer 15

A form of intravascular hemolysis,due to mechanical destruction of RBCs in the feet during strenuous exercise (especially running and walking on hard surfaces) (Marathon runners)