Question 1

Hemoglobin begins to appear in which of the following erythrocyte stages? (listed using College of American Pathologists terminology)&#10;A)Basophilic normoblast&#10;B)Polychromatophilic normoblast&#10;C)Orthochromic normoblast&#10;D)Pronormoblast

Accepted Answer

Hemoglobin begins to appear in the polychromatophilic normoblast stage of erythrocyte development, which is characterized by the cell starting to synthesize hemoglobin, giving it a distinct basophilic and eosinophilic appearance (polychromasia).

Question 2

Which of the following cells is in the last nucleated stage of erythrocytic maturation? (using CAP terminology)&#10;A)Pronormoblast&#10;B)Orthochromic normoblast&#10;C)Polychromatophilic normoblast&#10;D)Basophilic normoblast

Accepted Answer

The orthochromic normoblast (also known as late normoblast) is the last stage in erythrocyte maturation that still contains a nucleus. After this stage, the cell will expel its nucleus to become a reticulocyte, and eventually mature into an erythrocyte (red blood cell).

Question 3

The higher the N:C ratio is, the more mature the cell.

Accepted Answer

A higher N:C (nucleus to cytoplasm) ratio typically indicates a less mature cell, as immature cells often have larger nuclei relative to their cytoplasm. As cells mature, the cytoplasmic volume increases, leading to a lower N:C ratio.

Question 4

Pappenheimer bodies are composed of which of the following components?&#10;A)Iron&#10;B)Denatured hemoglobin&#10;C)DNA&#10;D)RNA

Accepted Answer

Pappenheimer bodies are composed of iron. They are intracellular inclusions within red blood cells and are visible with Prussian blue staining, indicating their iron content.

Question 5

For a red blood cell to live its full 120-day life span, which condition is necessary?&#10;A)The red blood cell membrane must be deformable.&#10;B)The red blood cell must have enough granules.&#10;C)The red blood cell must always remain in a round shape.&#10;D)There must be enough hemoglobin, regardless of function.

Accepted Answer

The red blood cell membrane must be deformable to allow it to navigate through the narrow capillaries and to ensure its survival and proper function throughout its lifespan. Granules are not a feature of red blood cells, shape adaptability is crucial, and while hemoglobin content is important, its function is critical.

Question 6

Which of the following red cell inclusions are derived from denatured hemoglobin?&#10;A)Howell-Jolly bodies&#10;B)Pappenheimer bodies&#10;C)Heinz bodies&#10;D)Siderotic granules

Accepted Answer

Heinz bodies are formed by the denaturation of hemoglobin within red blood cells, leading to the formation of insoluble precipitates that can be seen as inclusions within the cells.

Question 7

Which of the following electrolytes maintains its highest concentration within the red blood cell cytoplasm as opposed to circulating in the plasma?&#10;A)Sodium&#10;B)Bicarbonate&#10;C)Chloride&#10;D)Potassium

Accepted Answer

Potassium maintains its highest concentration within the red blood cell cytoplasm, contrasting with sodium, which is more concentrated in the plasma. This distribution is crucial for cell function and is maintained by the sodium-potassium pump.

Question 8

Increased plasma cholesterol may lead to the development of which of these abnormal red cell morphologies?&#10;A)Spherocytes&#10;B)Target cells&#10;C)Microcytes&#10;D)Helmet cells

Accepted Answer

Increased plasma cholesterol is associated with the development of target cells, also known as codocytes. These cells have a characteristic appearance with a bullseye or target-like appearance on a blood smear, which can occur in conditions associated with altered lipid metabolism.

Question 9

When hemolysis is produced by the intravascular fragmentation of red cells, which red cell morphology may be seen in peripheral smear examination?&#10;A)Spherocytes&#10;B)Macrocytes&#10;C)Acanthocytes&#10;D)Schistocytes

Accepted Answer

Schistocytes are fragmented red blood cells typically seen in conditions that cause intravascular hemolysis, such as mechanical damage from passing through narrowed or damaged blood vessels.

Question 10

The degree of effective erythropoietic activity in any hematological disorder can most readily be assessed by which analysis?&#10;A)Red cell count&#10;B)Reticulocyte count&#10;C)M:E ratio&#10;D)Hemoglobin determination

Accepted Answer

The reticulocyte count is the most direct measure of effective erythropoietic activity because reticulocytes are immature red blood cells released from the bone marrow into the bloodstream, and their count reflects the bone marrow's response to the body's need for red blood cells.

Question 11

Polychromatophilic macrocytes seen in the peripheral smear as a result of anemic stress are most likely which type of red blood cell?&#10;A)Siderocytes&#10;B)Reticulocytes&#10;C)Spherocytes&#10;D)Pappenheimer bodies

Accepted Answer

The answer of Polychromatophilic macrocytes seen in the peripheral smear...

Question 12

Most hypochromic cells will have an MCHC that is _____ and are often seen in ________.&#10;A)greater than 36%; thalassemia&#10;B)less than 32%; iron-deficiency anemia&#10;C)greater than 27%; iron-deficiency anemia&#10;D)less than 27%; sideroblastic conditions

Accepted Answer

The answer of Most hypochromic cells will have an MCHC...

Question 13

As a red blood cell matures, what is one key morphological feature of the stages containing a nucleus?&#10;A)Basophilic cytoplasm through every stage of maturation&#10;B)Granules in the cytoplasm&#10;C)A round nucleus&#10;D)An increase in size as the cell matures

Accepted Answer

The answer of As a red blood cell matures, what...

Question 14

Which of the following RBC pathways is responsible for providing 90% of the cellular ATP for red cell metabolism?&#10;A)Embden-Meyerhof pathway&#10;B)Methemoglobin reductase pathway&#10;C)Rapoport-Luebering pathway&#10;D)Hexose monophosphate shunt

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following RBC pathways is...

Question 15

Reversible sickled cells are described as having which of the following shapes?&#10;A)Crescent shape with one pointed projection&#10;B)Crescent shape with two pointed projections&#10;C)Half-moon shape with rounded ends&#10;D)Half-moon shape with pointed projection

Accepted Answer

The answer of Reversible sickled cells are described as having...

Question 16

Microcytic cells have MCV values of _______ and are often seen in _______.&#10;A)less than 90 fL; iron-deficiency anemia&#10;B)less than 80 fL; iron-deficiency anemia&#10;C)greater than 100 fL; megaloblastic anemia&#10;D)greater than 110 fL; megaloblastic anemia

Accepted Answer

The answer of Microcytic cells have MCV values of _______...

Question 17

What is the red cell protein that is responsible for deformability and flexibility of the red cell?&#10;A)Spectrin&#10;B)Glycophorin&#10;C)Glycine&#10;D)EPO

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the red cell protein that...

Question 18

From each pronormoblast precursor cell, _____ mature red blood cells are produced.&#10;A)4&#10;B)8&#10;C)12&#10;D)16

Accepted Answer

The answer of From each pronormoblast precursor cell, _____ mature...

Question 19

Which red cell inclusions are remnants of DNA?&#10;A)Cabot rings&#10;B)Howell-Jolly bodies&#10;C)Heinz bodies&#10;D)Pappenheimer bodies

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which red cell inclusions are remnants of...

Question 20

When tissues become hypoxic, which of the following organs is stimulated to release erythropoietin?&#10;A)Pituitary gland&#10;B)Thyroid&#10;C)Pancreas&#10;D)Kidneys

Accepted Answer

The answer of When tissues become hypoxic, which of the...

Question 21

The anucleate mature red blood cell has no ability to produce protein.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The anucleate mature red blood cell has...

Deck 3: Blood Cell Production and Function and Relevant Red Cell Morphology