A 61-year-old woman presents for a routine health visit. She complains of generalized fatigue and lethargy on most days of the week for the past 4 months. She has no significant past medical history and is not taking any medications. She denies any history of smoking or recreational drug use but states that she drinks "socially" approx. 6 nights a week. She says she also enjoys a "nightcap," which is 1–2 glasses of wine before bed every night. The patient is afebrile, and her vital signs are within normal limits. On physical examination, there is significant pallor of the mucous membranes. Laboratory findings are significant for a mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of 72 fL, leukocyte count of 4,800/mL, hemoglobin of 11.0 g/dL, and platelet count of 611,000/mL. Stool guaiac test is negative. She is started on oral ferrous sulfate supplements. On follow-up, her laboratory parameters show no interval change in her MCV or platelet level, and she reports good compliance with the medication. Which of the following is the best next step in the management of this patient?
ATransfuse the patient with whole blood
BAdminister folate
CAdminister iron intravenously
DContinue oral ferrous sulfate and supplement with omeprazole
EContinue oral ferrous sulfate and supplement with ascorbic acid
A 44-year-old male immigrant presents to his primary care physician for a new patient visit. The patient reports chronic fatigue but states that he otherwise feels well. His past medical history is not known, and he is not currently taking any medications. The patient admits to drinking 7 alcoholic beverages per day and smoking 1 pack of cigarettes per day. His temperature is 99.4°F (37.4°C), blood pressure is 157/98 mmHg, pulse is 99/min, respirations are 18/min, and oxygen saturation is 100% on room air. Physical exam demonstrates mild pallor but is otherwise not remarkable. Laboratory studies are ordered as seen below. Hemoglobin: 9 g/dL Hematocrit: 33% Leukocyte count: 6,500/mm^3 with normal differential Platelet count: 190,000/mm^3 Mean corpuscular volume (MCV): 60 femtoliters Free iron: 272 mcg/dL Total iron binding capacity (TIBC): 175 mcg/dL Ferritin: 526 ng/mL Reticulocyte count: 2.8% Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
AFolate deficiency
BBeta-thalassemia
CIron deficiency
DB12 deficiency
EHemolytic anemia
A 46-year-old man presents to the office complaining of dry, irritated eyes that have gotten worse over the last week. The patient states that he has also developed a red bumpy rash on his arms. On exam, his bilateral cornea and conjunctiva are dry and thickened. There are small ulcerations on the cornea. The skin of the bilateral arms has an erythematous rash characterized by small, white raised lesions. The patient has a history of alcoholism but has no other significant past medical history. What is most likely deficient in this patient?
AThiamine
BFolic acid
CVitamin B12
DVitamin A
EVitamin K
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