Hematopathology Practice Questions

Q: What are schistocytes?

Fragmented red blood cell. **Explanation:** **Schistocytes** are fragmented parts of red blood cells (RBCs) that typically appear as helmet-shaped, triangular, or irregular jagged structures on a peripheral blood smear. They are formed when RBCs are mechanically sheared as they pass through fibrin strands in microvessels or damaged vascular surfaces. **Why Option C is Correct:** The hallmark of **Microangiopathic Hemolytic Anemia (MAHA)** is the presence of schistocytes. When the endothelial lining is damaged or fibrin meshworks form (as in DIC or TTP), RBCs are physically sliced into fragments, resulting in these characteristic shapes. **Why Other Options are Incorrect:** * **Option A & D:** While "Schizont" (Option D) sounds phonetically similar to schistocyte, it refers to a stage in the life cycle of the **Malarial parasite** (Option A) where the parasite undergoes asexual reproduction within the RBC [1]. * **Option B:** Schistocytes are strictly derived from erythrocytes (RBCs), not leukocytes (WBCs). **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Diagnostic Significance:** The presence of >1% schistocytes on a smear is highly suggestive of MAHA. * **Associated Conditions:** 1. **TTP (Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura):** Look for the pentad (Fever, Anemia, Thrombocytopenia, Renal failure, Neurological symptoms). 2. **HUS (Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome):** Often follows *E. coli* O157:H7 infection. 3. **DIC (Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation).** 4. **Mechanical Heart Valves:** Can cause "Waring Blender Syndrome" due to physical trauma to RBCs. * **Morphology:** Also known as "Helmet cells." **References:** [1] Kumar V, Abbas AK, et al.. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 9th ed. Infectious Diseases, pp. 398-400.

Question 1

Reed-Sternberg cells of Hodgkin's disease, which are positive for CD15 and CD30, are seen in all of the following types EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Lymphocyte predominance

Answer

Nodular sclerosis

Answer

Mixed cellularity

Answer

Lymphocyte depletion

Question 2

Which of the following is not a myeloproliferative neoplasm?

Accepted Answer

Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia

Answer

Polycythemia vera

Answer

Chronic myeloid leukemia

Answer

Essential thrombocythemia

Question 3

Severe hereditary spherocytosis is seen due to a defect in which of the following proteins?

Accepted Answer

Spectrin

Answer

Ankyrin

Answer

Band 3

Answer

Band 4.2

Question 4

What are schistocytes?

Accepted Answer

Fragmented red blood cell

Answer

Malarial parasite

Answer

White blood cell

Answer

Schizont

Question 5

In hereditary spherocytosis, the defect lies in which component?

Accepted Answer

Membrane cytoskeleton

Answer

Hemoglobin

Answer

Enzyme

Answer

None of the above

Question 6

A patient with a bleeding disorder presents with increased bleeding time and normal clotting time. Which of the following conditions is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

Answer

Classic hemophilia

Answer

Christmas disease

Answer

Vitamin K deficiency

Question 7

Classical hemophilia is due to the absence of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Factor IX

Answer

Factor VIII

Answer

Factor XI

Answer

von Willebrand factor

Question 8

Which of the following statements about paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

Chronic autoimmune form responds well to splenectomy

Answer

Results from formation of Donath-Landsteiner antibody

Answer

Attacks are associated with hemoglobinuria

Answer

Can occur secondary to syphilis

Question 9

What factors affect sickling in sickle cell anemia?

Accepted Answer

All of the above

Answer

HbS concentration

Answer

HbA

Answer

pH

Question 10

All of the following are true about neutrophils in peripheral smear examination, EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

If neutrophil granules are smaller and stain red, they are called toxic granules.

Answer

Vacuolated neutrophils may be a sign of bacterial sepsis.

Answer

The presence of neutrophils with more than five nuclear lobes suggests megaloblastic anemia.

Answer

Large, misshapen granules may reflect the inherited Chediak-Higashi syndrome.

Hematopathology — MCQs

Hematopathology — MCQs

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