HEMATOLOGY Complete Study Guide
*Q&A* (100% Correct) 2025 |VEERIFIED|
What is the most common cause of iron deficiency anemia in adults?
Chronic blood loss, often from gastrointestinal or menstrual sources
Hemolytic anemia is characterized by the destruction of red blood cells. What laborat...
How does Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia differ from folate deficiency anemia on a peripheral blood
smear?
Both can show macrocytosis, but B12 deficiency may also show hypersegmented neutrophils and
can have neurological symptoms, which folate deficiency lacks
Why is the direct Coombs test used in diagnosing autoimmune hemolytic anemia?
It detects antibodies bound to red blood cells, confirming immune-mediated hemolysis
What is the significance of a high reticulocyte count in anemia?
It indicates that the bone marrow is responding appropriately by increasing red blood cell
production
Why is erythropoietin therapy used in patients with chronic kidney disease?
Chronic kidney disease leads to decreased production of erythropoietin, causing anemia
What condition is associated with a decreased mean corpuscular volume (MCV)?
Microcytic anemias such as iron deficiency anemia and thalassemia
Why do patients with sickle cell anemia experience pain crises?
Vaso-occlusion caused by sickle-shaped red blood cells blocking small blood vessels, leading to
tissue ischemia and pain
What is the primary risk associated with polycythemia vera?
Thrombosis, due to increased blood viscosity and elevated red blood cell mass
How can you distinguish between aplastic anemia and myelodysplastic syndrome?
Aplastic anemia shows pancytopenia with hypocellular bone marrow, whereas myelodysplastic
syndrome shows dysplastic hematopoietic cells and hypercellular marrow
1
, What laboratory findings would suggest hereditary spherocytosis?
Spherocytes on peripheral blood smear, elevated mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration
(MCHC), and a positive osmotic fragility test
Why are patients with thalassemia often misdiagnosed with iron deficiency anemia?
Both conditions present with microcytic anemia, but thalassemia has normal or elevated iron
levels, while iron deficiency anemia shows low iron and ferritin
What is the role of hepcidin in anemia of chronic disease?
Hepcidin regulates iron metabolism by inhibiting iron absorption and release, leading to reduced
availability of iron for erythropoiesis
Why might a patient with a high white blood cell count still be considered to have neutropenia?
If the white blood cell count is elevated due to lymphocytes or monocytes, but the neutrophil
count is low, neutropenia is present
How can you differentiate between immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and thrombotic
thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)?
ITP primarily involves isolated thrombocytopenia, while TTP includes thrombocytopenia with
microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, renal impairment, and neurologic symptoms
What is the pathophysiology of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)?
Uncontrolled activation of coagulation pathways leads to widespread clot formation, followed by
consumption of clotting factors and platelets, causing bleeding
What is the role of bone marrow biopsy in diagnosing hematologic disorders?
It allows direct examination of marrow cellularity, morphology, and abnormal infiltrates such as
leukemia or myelodysplasia
What is the most common mutation associated with hereditary hemochromatosis?
C282Y mutation in the HFE gene, leading to increased iron absorption and deposition in tissues
Why are patients with multiple myeloma at increased risk of infections?
Decreased production of normal immunoglobulins due to clonal proliferation of abnormal plasma
cells
What differentiates Hodgkin lymphoma from non-Hodgkin lymphoma on histological examination?
Hodgkin lymphoma is characterized by the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells, while non-Hodgkin
lymphoma lacks these cells
What role does splenomegaly play in hemolytic anemia?
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