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What term describes a decreased number of neutrophils in the blood, making a patient more susceptible to infections?
a) Pancytopenia
b) Neutropenia
c) Lymphopenia
d) Polycythemia
Answer: b) Neutropenia
Rationale: Neutropenia is defined as a lower-than-normal number of neutrophils, increasing the patient’s risk for infections .
Which of the following is the term used for the abnormal destruction of red blood cells?
a) Hemolysis
b) Hypochromia
c) Pancytopenia
d) Polycythemia
Answer: a) Hemolysis
Rationale: Hemolysis refers to the destruction of red blood cells, which releases hemoglobin into the bloodstream .
What does the term hypoproliferative anemia indicate?
a) Anemia resulting from increased RBC destruction
b) Anemia caused by decreased RBC production
c) Anemia due to excessive bleeding
d) Anemia due to increased erythropoiesis
Answer: b) Anemia caused by decreased RBC production
Rationale: Hypoproliferative anemia occurs when the bone marrow fails to produce an adequate number of red blood cells .
What is lymphopenia?
a) Increased number of lymphocytes
b) Decreased number of lymphocytes
c) Decreased number of platelets
d) Increased number of neutrophils
b) Decreased number of lymphocytes
Rationale: Lymphopenia is defined as a lower-than-normal count of lymphocytes, which weakens the immune system’s ability to fight infections .
What is the definition of polycythemia?
a) A deficiency in all types of blood cells
b) An increase in red blood cell mass
c) A decrease in platelet count
d) An increase in white blood cells
b) An increase in red blood cell mass
Rationale: Polycythemia is characterized by an excess of red blood cells, which can increase blood viscosity and the risk of clot formation .
Thrombocytopenia is a term used to describe:
a) A lower-than-normal platelet count
b) A higher-than-normal white blood cell count
c) Increased platelet production
d) Decreased red blood cell mass
a) A lower-than-normal platelet count
Rationale: Thrombocytopenia refers to a decreased number of platelets, which increases the risk of bleeding .
The term pancytopenia refers to:
a) An increase in all blood cell types
b) A decrease in RBCs, WBCs, and platelets
c) Increased platelet production
d) Decreased lymphocyte count only
b) A decrease in RBCs, WBCs, and platelets
Rationale: Pancytopenia involves a reduction in the number of all three blood cell types: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets .
What is the term for red blood cells that are smaller than normal?
a) Microcytosis
b) Macrocytosis
c) Normocytosis
d) Poikilocytosis
Answer: a) Microcytosis
Rationale: Microcytosis refers to red blood cells that are smaller than the normal size, often seen in iron deficiency anemia .
What does erythropoiesis refer to?
a) The destruction of red blood cells
b) The production of red blood cells
c) The production of white blood cells
d) The destruction of platelets
b) The production of red blood cells
Rationale: Erythropoiesis is the process by which red blood cells are produced in the bone marrow .
Which term describes the abnormal variation in the shape of red blood cells?
a) Poikilocytosis
b) Thrombocytosis
c) Microcytosis
d) Hypochromia
a) Poikilocytosis
Rationale: Poikilocytosis refers to irregularly shaped red blood cells, which can occur in various types of anemia .
Reticulocytes are:
a) Immature white blood cells
b) Immature red blood cells
c) Mature red blood cells
d) Fragmented platelets
Answer: b) Immature red blood cells
Rationale: Reticulocytes are immature red blood cells that are released from the bone marrow into the bloodstream as part of erythropoiesis .
Spherocytes refer to:
a) Red blood cells that are fragmented
b) Red blood cells that are spherical in shape
c) Red blood cells with low hemoglobin content
d) Red blood cells with irregular borders
b) Red blood cells that are spherical in shape
Rationale: Spherocytes are red blood cells that take on a spherical shape rather than the normal biconcave shape, often seen in hemolytic anemia .
Megaloblastic anemia?
a) Anemia characterized by abnormally small red blood cells
b) Anemia characterized by abnormally large, nucleated red blood cells
c) Anemia caused by decreased platelet production
d) Anemia caused by bone marrow failure
b) Anemia characterized by abnormally large, nucleated red blood cells
Rationale: Megaloblastic anemia is a type of anemia where the bone marrow produces unusually large and immature red blood cells due to a deficiency in vitamin B12 or folic acid .
Which term refers to the hormone responsible for stimulating red blood cell production in response to hypoxia?
a) Hemoglobin
b) Erythropoietin
c) Ferritin
d) Hematocrit
b) Erythropoietin
Rationale: Erythropoietin is a hormone produced by the kidneys in response to low oxygen levels, stimulating the bone marrow to produce more red blood cells .
The term hemosiderin refers to:
a) An iron-containing protein found in red blood cells
b) An iron-storage complex found in tissues
c) A protein involved in oxygen transport
d) A blood protein involved in clotting
b) An iron-storage complex found in tissues
Rationale: Hemosiderin is an iron-storage complex that is found in tissues and plays a role in storing iron in the body .
Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) refers to:
a) The total number of white blood cells
b) The number of circulating neutrophils in the blood
c) The percentage of neutrophils in a blood sample
d) The number of platelets in the blood
b) The number of circulating neutrophils in the blood
Rationale: Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) is a calculation of the number of circulating neutrophils, which is important for assessing infection risk .
Petechiae are:
a) Small, flat, red or purple spots caused by capillary bleeding
b) Large bruises caused by trauma
c) Raised red areas of the skin caused by infection
d) Blisters filled with blood
a) Small, flat, red or purple spots caused by capillary bleeding
Rationale: Petechiae are small, pinpoint hemorrhages under the skin that are commonly associated with thrombocytopenia .
What does hemarthrosis refer to?
a) Bleeding into the brain
b) Bleeding into a joint
c) Bleeding into the stomach
d) Bleeding into the skin
b) Bleeding into a joint
Rationale: Hemarthrosis is the accumulation of blood in a joint, often seen in patients with clotting disorders .
Aplastic anemia refers to:
a) Anemia caused by bone marrow failure
b) Anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency
c) Anemia due to excessive bleeding
d) Anemia caused by increased hemolysis
a) Anemia caused by bone marrow failure
Rationale: Aplastic anemia is a condition in which the bone marrow fails to produce enough blood cells, leading to pancytopenia .
The term pica refers to:
a) The desire to eat non-nutritive substances such as dirt or clay
b) Loss of appetite
c) Binge eating of high-carbohydrate foods
d) Increased desire for salty foods
(A) The desire to eat non-nutritive substances such as dirt or clay
Rationale: Pica is the craving to eat non-food substances, often associated with iron deficiency anemia .
Schistocytes are:
a) Immature platelets
b) Fragmented red blood cells
c) Large white blood cells
d) Small neutrophils
Answer: b) Fragmented red blood cell
Rationale: Schistocytes are fragmented red blood cells that result from mechanical damage, often seen in conditions like disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) .
The term idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) refers to:
a) Decreased platelet count of unknown cause
b) Increased platelet production
c) Decreased red blood cell production
d) Increased red blood cell destruction
a) Decreased platelet count of unknown cause
Rationale: Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune disorder in which platelets are destroyed, leading to low platelet counts without an apparent cause .
Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) are used to:
a) Stimulate platelet production
b) Stimulate red blood cell production
c) Stimulate white blood cell production
d) Prevent clot formation
b) Stimulate red blood cell production
Rationale: Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) are used to increase the production of red blood cells, particularly in patients with anemia due to chronic kidney disease or chemotherapy .