A male patient complains of physical weakness and fatigue. A blood test shows his hematocrit to be 30%. Which of the following diagnoses is the least likely to explain his symptoms?

Question

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A hematocrit of 30% indicates the patient has a low red blood cell count and may be anemic. Internal bleeding (A) and dietary deficiencies of iron (B) or vitamin B12 (C) can all result in anemia and fatigue. Kidney disease (E) can also lead to anemia due to reduced erythropoietin production. Lung disease (D) is less likely to directly result in anemia and physical weakness, although it can certainly contribute to fatigue and shortness of breath.

A Male Patient Complains of Physical Weakness and Fatigue