Deck 220: Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Question 1

A patient diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and presenting with severe neutropenia and anemia is given erythropoietin (EPO) with improvement in hemoglobin. Which intervention has been shown to prevent infection in patients with MDS who have severe neutropenia?

A) Anti-thymocyte globulin and cyclosporine
B) Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)
C) Intravenous immunoglobulin infusions
D) Prophylactic treatment with fluoroquinolones

Answer 1

D

Question 2

A 70-year-old patient reports frequent infections, shortness of breath, fatigue, and palpitations. An exam reveals pallor and petechiae. The provider orders a peripheral blood smear and bone marrow biopsy. Which findings are consistent with a diagnosis of myelodysplasia? (Select all that apply.)

A) Anisocytosis and poikilocytosis of erythrocytes on peripheral smear
B) Defects in cellular maturation in all cell lines in bone marrow aspirate
C) Hypercellular bone marrow with peripheral cytopenia
D) Larger than normal megakaryocytes in bone marrow
E) Smaller than normal granulocytes in the peripheral blood smear

Answer 2

A, B, C, D