The nursing instructor is discussing disorders of the hematopoietic system with the pre-nursing pathophysiology class. What disease would the instructor list with a primary characteristic of erythrocytosis?
A) Polycythemia Vera
B) Sickle Cell Disease
C) Aplastic anemia
D) Pernicious anemia

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Erythrocytosis, or an increase in the number of red blood cells, is a primary characteristic of polycythemia vera, a disorder of the bone marrow. Sickle cell disease is a genetic disorder that affects the shape of red blood cells, but it does not necessarily result in erythrocytosis. Aplastic anemia is a condition in which the bone marrow does not produce enough new cells, including red blood cells, resulting in a decrease rather than an increase in erythrocytes. Pernicious anemia is caused by a deficiency in vitamin B12, which is necessary for the production of red blood cells, and also results in a decrease in erythrocytes.

The Nursing Instructor Is Discussing Disorders of the Hematopoietic System