Mod. 1 Disease of RBC Flashcards
Which of the following best describes anemia?
A. A disorder of white blood cells that increases the blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity
B. A condition characterized by excessive erythrocyte production
C. A common disorder that impairs the blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity, leading to tissue hypoxia
D. A genetic disorder that only affects hemoglobin function
C. A common disorder that impairs the blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity, leading to tissue hypoxia
Rationale: Anemia is a disorder of erythrocytes that reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen, causing tissue hypoxia. It can result from a decrease in circulating erythrocytes, a reduction in hemoglobin, or the presence of abnormal hemoglobin.
Which of the following is NOT a common manifestation of anemia?
A. Pallor
B. Bradycardia
C. Fatigue
D. Dyspnea
B. Bradycardia
Rationale: Anemia often leads to tachycardia, not bradycardia, as the heart compensates for reduced oxygen-carrying capacity by increasing its rate. Other common symptoms include weakness, fatigue, pallor, syncope, and dyspnea.
Iron-deficiency anemia is most commonly caused by:
A. Increased erythrocyte destruction
B. Autoimmune disorders affecting the bone marrow
C. Decreased iron intake or absorption and increased bleeding
D. Excessive vitamin B12 intake
C. Decreased iron intake or absorption and increased bleeding
Rationale: Iron-deficiency anemia occurs when the body’s iron supply is inadequate for hemoglobin production, often due to poor dietary intake, malabsorption, or chronic blood loss.
A patient with iron-deficiency anemia may present with which of the following additional symptoms?
A. Cyanotic sclera and brittle nails
B. Hypercoagulability and hepatomegaly
C. Neurological symptoms such as paresthesia
D. Hemolysis and splenomegaly
A. Cyanotic sclera and brittle nails
Rationale: Patients with iron-deficiency anemia often experience cyanotic sclera, brittle nails, decreased appetite, headache, irritability, stomatitis, pica, and delayed healing.
Pernicious anemia is primarily caused by:
A. A lack of dietary iron
B. A genetic mutation affecting erythrocyte shape
C. An autoimmune lack of intrinsic factor leading to vitamin B12 deficiency
D. Chronic blood loss
C. An autoimmune lack of intrinsic factor leading to vitamin B12 deficiency
Rationale: Pernicious anemia results from a lack of intrinsic factor, which is necessary for vitamin B12 absorption. This leads to impaired DNA synthesis and neurological complications.
A patient with pernicious anemia is likely to exhibit which of the following symptoms?
A. Hypercoagulability and jaundice
B. Bleeding gums, personality changes, and unsteady gait
C. Cyanotic sclera and brittle nails
D. Increased erythropoiesis and splenomegaly
B. Bleeding gums, personality changes, and unsteady gait
Rationale: Pernicious anemia can cause neurological symptoms due to myelin breakdown, as well as manifestations like bleeding gums, impaired smell, personality changes, paresthesia, and a positive Babinski’s sign.
Aplastic anemia is characterized by:
A. Pancytopenia due to bone marrow depression
B. Abnormal hemoglobin production due to a genetic mutation
C. An autoimmune attack on erythrocytes
D. Chronic iron overload leading to increased erythropoiesis
A. Pancytopenia due to bone marrow depression
Rationale: Aplastic anemia is caused by bone marrow failure, leading to a deficiency in all blood cell types (pancytopenia). It may have idiopathic, autoimmune, viral, medical, or genetic origins.
Which of the following best describes hemolytic anemia?
A. An anemia caused by autoimmune destruction of the intrinsic factor
B. An anemia resulting from excessive destruction of erythrocytes
C. An anemia caused by a dietary deficiency of iron
D. An anemia primarily associated with vitamin B12 deficiency
B. An anemia resulting from excessive destruction of erythrocytes
Rationale: Hemolytic anemia occurs due to increased erythrocyte destruction (hemolysis), which can result from autoimmune conditions, infections, genetic disorders, or transfusion reactions.
Which population has a higher prevalence of sickle cell anemia?
A. Individuals of European descent
B. Individuals of African, Mediterranean, South and Central American, and Middle Eastern descent
C. Individuals of East Asian descent
D. Individuals of Scandinavian descent
B. Individuals of African, Mediterranean, South and Central American, and Middle Eastern descent
Rationale: Sickle cell anemia is more common in individuals from regions where malaria is endemic, as the sickle cell trait provides some protection against malaria.
A patient experiencing a sickle cell crisis may present with which of the following symptoms?
A. Hypercoagulability and hepatosplenomegaly
B. Severe pain, jaundice, tachycardia, and ulcers on the lower legs
C. Bleeding gums and a positive Babinski’s sign
D. Pica and delayed wound healing
B. Severe pain, jaundice, tachycardia, and ulcers on the lower legs
Rationale: Sickle cell crises are painful episodes caused by ischemia and necrosis. Symptoms include severe pain, jaundice, tachycardia, delayed growth, ulcers on the lower legs, and increased risk of infection and stroke.
Thalassemia is characterized by:
A. A deficiency in vitamin B12 absorption
B. An autosomal dominant inheritance pattern leading to abnormal hemoglobin
C. Excessive iron absorption and storage
D. Bone marrow failure resulting in pancytopenia
B. An autosomal dominant inheritance pattern leading to abnormal hemoglobin
Rationale: Thalassemia is an autosomal dominant disorder in which the production of alpha or beta globin chains is impaired, leading to defective hemoglobin and erythrocyte destruction.
Which of the following is a hallmark finding in thalassemia?
A. Neurological impairment and paresthesia
B. Cyanotic sclera and brittle nails
C. Hypercoagulability, hepatosplenomegaly, and bone deformities
D. Pancytopenia and an increased risk of infections
C. Hypercoagulability, hepatosplenomegaly, and bone deformities
Rationale: Thalassemia leads to ineffective erythropoiesis, hypercoagulability, hepatosplenomegaly, bone deformities, and symptoms of anemia, including fatigue and dyspnea.
