Question 1

A 60-year-old female emphysema patient experiences a rapid and pounding heart, dizziness, and fatigue with exertion. How would the respiratory system compensate for the increased oxygen demand?

Accepted Answer

The best way for the respiratory system to compensate for the increased oxygen demand is by increasing the rate and depth of breathing. This would allow more oxygen to be taken in and delivered to the tissues, helping to meet the increased demand. Bronchoconstriction, dyspnea, and activation of the renin-angiotensin response are not likely to be helpful in this situation.

Question 2

A 58-year-old female presents in the clinic with complaints of fatigue, weight loss, and tingling in her fingers. Laboratory findings show a low hemoglobin and hematocrit, a high mean corpuscular volume, and normal plasma iron. These findings are consistent with which type of anemia?

Accepted Answer

The symptoms of fatigue, weight loss, and tingling in the fingers indicate a possible vitamin B12 deficiency. This, along with laboratory findings of low hemoglobin and hematocrit, a high mean corpuscular volume, and normal plasma iron, suggests pernicious anemia.

Question 3

Which of the following individuals is at highest risk for developing a vitamin B₁₂ deficiency anemia?

Accepted Answer

A gastrectomy procedure involves removal of the stomach, which impairs the body's ability to absorb vitamin B12 from the diet, leading to a deficiency.

Question 4

What hemodynamic change occurs after initial compensation for a reduction in the number of circulating erythrocytes?

Accepted Answer

After initial compensation for a reduction in erythrocytes, the body increases cardiac output to maintain oxygen delivery, leading to hyperdynamic blood flow.

Question 5

A newborn is diagnosed with congenital intrinsic factor deficiency. From which of the following types of anemia does he suffer?

Accepted Answer

Congenital intrinsic factor deficiency leads to pernicious anemia, which is due to deficiency of vitamin B12.

Question 6

A 40-year-old male vegetarian is diagnosed with folate deficiency anemia. He reports that he is an alcoholic. Which of the following factors put him at greatest risk for developing his disease?

Accepted Answer

Alcohol consumption can interfere with the absorption and utilization of folate, which can increase the risk of folate deficiency anemia. Being vegetarian, age, and gender are not the primary risk factors for developing folate deficiency anemia in this case.

Question 7

A 25-year-old female has a heavy menses during which she loses a profuse amount of blood. Which of the following adaptations could be expected?

Accepted Answer

Blood vessel dilation is a compensatory mechanism to increase blood flow and oxygen delivery to tissues when there is significant blood loss.

Question 8

A 67-year-old female has chronic gastrointestinal bleeding. The primary cause of her anemia is:

Accepted Answer

Chronic gastrointestinal bleeding can lead to iron deficiency anemia, as iron is lost through the bleeding. Vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies may also cause anemia, but they are not the primary cause in this case. Bone marrow failure may cause anemia, but it is not mentioned as a contributing factor in this patient's case.

Question 9

A 45-year-old male is diagnosed with pernicious anemia. The most likely cause of this condition is:

Accepted Answer

Pernicious anemia is caused by a deficiency in vitamin B12, which is necessary for DNA synthesis. Without enough vitamin B12, the body cannot make enough red blood cells, leading to anemia.

Question 10

A 50-year-old male experienced loss of appetite, weight loss, and beefy red tongue shortly before his death. Autopsy would most likely reveal:

Accepted Answer

The answer of A 50-year-old male experienced loss of appetite,...

Question 11

A 34-year-old male presents in the emergency room with extreme fatigue and shortness of breath. His skin and sclera appear to have a yellowish discoloration. These findings are consistent with which type of anemia?

Accepted Answer

The yellowish discoloration of the skin and sclera is indicative of jaundice, which is seen in hemolytic anemia. This type of anemia is caused by the destruction of red blood cells, leading to a decrease in the number of circulating red blood cells and the release of excess bilirubin. Extreme fatigue and shortness of breath are also common symptoms of hemolytic anemia.

Question 12

A 2-year-old malnourished child has vitamin B₁₂ and folate deficiencies. A blood smear would reveal _____ amounts of hemoglobin.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A 2-year-old malnourished child has vitamin B₁₂...

Question 13

In some anemias, the erythrocytes are present in various sizes; this is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Anisocytosis refers to the presence of erythrocytes in varied sizes, which can be observed in certain types of anemia. Normocytosis refers to erythrocytes of normal size, isocytosis refers to erythrocytes of uniform size, and microcytosis refers specifically to erythrocytes that are smaller than normal.

Question 14

The Schilling test for pernicious anemia involves:

Accepted Answer

The Schilling test for pernicious anemia involves the administration of radioactive cobalamin and the measurement of its excretion in the urine. This test helps to evaluate the absorption of vitamin B12 in the digestive system.

Question 15

Which of the following statements explains why vitamin B₁₂ and folate deficiencies cause anemia?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following statements explains why...

Question 16

A 20-year-old female undergoes lab testing for anemia. Results show high iron, bilirubin, and transferrin and low hemoglobin and hematocrit. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

The high iron and transferrin levels suggest iron overload, while the low hemoglobin and hematocrit suggest anemia. Sideroblastic anemia is a type of anemia characterized by defective heme synthesis and increased iron absorption, leading to iron overload. Bilirubin may also be elevated due to increased breakdown of red blood cells. Pernicious anemia would typically present with low levels of vitamin B12 and low red blood cell counts, while folate deficiency anemia would present with low levels of folate but normal or low iron levels. Iron deficiency anemia would present with low iron and transferrin levels.

Question 17

A 5-year-old male was diagnosed with normocytic-normochromic anemia. Which of the following anemias falls into this category?

Accepted Answer

Hemolytic anemia is a type of normocytic-normochromic anemia, where red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be produced, leading to anemia with normal-sized and normal-colored red blood cells.

Question 18

A 35-year-old female is diagnosed with vitamin B₁₂ deficiency anemia. A decrease in which of the following is the most likely cause?

Accepted Answer

Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia is typically caused by a lack of intrinsic factor, which is necessary for the absorption of vitamin B12 from the gastrointestinal tract. Ferritin is a protein that stores iron and is not directly involved in the absorption of vitamin B12. Gastric enzymes and erythropoietin are also not directly involved in the absorption of vitamin B12.

Question 19

Erythrocytes that are _____ contain an abnormally low concentration of hemoglobin.

Accepted Answer

Hypochromic erythrocytes have a decreased concentration of hemoglobin, resulting in a pale appearance. Hyperchromic erythrocytes have an increased concentration of hemoglobin, while macrocytic erythrocytes are larger than normal and microcytic erythrocytes are smaller than normal.

Question 20

Which of the following tests directly measures iron stores?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following tests directly measures...

Quiz 20: Alterations of Hematologic Function