Hematology (anemias, clotting disorders) Practice Questions

Question 1

A 25-year-old African-American woman visits the doctor’s office complaining of fatigue for a couple of months. She says that she feels exhausted by the end of the day. She works as a dental assistant and is on her feet most of the time. However, she eats well and also tries to walk for 30 minutes every morning. She also says that she sometimes feels breathless and has to gasp for air, especially when she is walking or jogging. Her past medical history is insignificant, except for occasional bouts of cold during the winters. Her physical exam findings are within normal limits except for moderate conjunctival pallor. Complete blood count results and iron profile are as follows:
Hemoglobin 9 g/dL
Hematocrit 28.5%
RBC count 5.85 x 106/mm3
WBC count 5,500/mm3
Platelet count  212,000/mm3
MCV 56.1 fl
MCH 20.9 pg/cell
MCHC 25.6 g/dL
RDW 11.7% Hb/cell
    Serum iron 170 mcg/dL
Total iron-binding capacity (TIBC)  458 mcg/dL
Transferrin saturation 60%
A peripheral blood smear is given. When questioned about her family history of anemia, she says that all she remembers is her dad was never allowed to donate blood as he was anemic. Which of the following most likely explains her cell counts and blood smear results?

Accepted Answer

Thalassemia

Answer

Iron-deficiency anemia

Answer

B12 deficiency

Answer

Hemolysis

Answer

Folate deficiency

Question 2

A 25-year-old woman is being evaluated due to complaint of fatigue and voiding pink urine. The laboratory results are as follows:
Hb 6.7
Red blood cell count 3.0 x 1012/L
Leukocyte count 5,000/mm3
Platelets 170 x 109/L
Reticulocyte count 6%
Hematocrit 32%
The physician thinks that the patient is suffering from an acquired mutation in hematopoietic stem cells, which is confirmed by flow cytometry analysis that revealed these cells are CD 55 and CD 59 negative. However, the physician is interested in knowing the corrected reticulocyte count before starting the patient on eculizumab. What value does the physician find after calculating the corrected reticulocyte count?

Accepted Answer

4.6%

Answer

3.1%

Answer

0.4%

Answer

0.1%

Answer

0.6%

Question 3

An otherwise healthy 42-year-old man undergoes routine investigations prior to blood donation. His complete blood count is shown:
Hemoglobin 9.3 g/dL
Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) 71 μm3
Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) 21 pg/cell
White blood cell count 8,200/mm3
Platelet count 317,000/mm3
Iron studies are shown:
Serum iron 210 μg/dL
Serum ferritin 310 ng/mL
Total iron binding capacity (TIBC) 290 μg/dL
Transferrin saturation 78%
He occasionally drinks alcohol and denies smoking or use of illicit drugs. There is a family history of anemia including his brother and maternal uncle. Examination shows conjunctival pallor, but is otherwise unremarkable. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Sideroblastic anemia

Answer

Hemochromatosis

Answer

Anemia of chronic disease

Answer

Acute myeloid leukemia

Answer

Myelodysplastic syndrome

Question 4

A 10-year-old girl with previously diagnosed sickle cell anemia presents to the emergency room with a low-grade fever, malaise, petechiae on her arms, and a rash on her face. She regularly takes hydroxyurea and receives blood transfusions to treat her condition. Her blood tests show a hemoglobin of 4.0 g/dL, MCV of 87 fl, and 2% reticulocyte count. An attempted bone marrow biopsy was a dry, empty tap. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Aplastic crisis

Answer

Reaction to the blood transfusions

Answer

Gastrointestinal bleeding

Answer

Anemia of chronic disease

Answer

Sequestration crisis

Question 5

A 39-year-old woman presents with progressive weakness, exercise intolerance, and occasional dizziness for the past 3 months. Past medical history is unremarkable. She reports an 18-pack-year smoking history and drinks alcohol rarely. Her vital signs include: temperature 36.6°C (97.8°F), blood pressure 139/82 mm Hg, pulse 98/min. Physical examination is unremarkable. Her laboratory results are significant for the following:
Hemoglobin 9.2 g/dL
Erythrocyte count 2.1 million/mm3
Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) 88 μm3
Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) 32 pg/cell
Leukocyte count 7,500/mm3
Which of the following is the best next step in the management of this patient’s condition?

Accepted Answer

Reticulocyte count

Answer

Serum ferritin level

Answer

Direct antiglobulin test

Answer

C-reactive protein (CRP)

Answer

Bone marrow biopsy

Question 6

A 42-year-old man with a history of tuberculosis presents to your office complaining of fatigue for two months. Serum laboratory studies reveal the following: WBC 7,000 cells/mm^3, Hb 9.0 g/dL, Hct 25%, MCV 88 fL, Platelet 450,000 cells/mm^3, Vitamin B12 500 pg/mL (200-800), and Folic acid 17 ng/mL (2.5-20). Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in the management of anemia in this patient?

Accepted Answer

Iron studies

Answer

Bone marrow biopsy

Answer

Observation

Answer

Colonoscopy

Answer

Erythropoietin administration

Question 7

A 71-year-old woman is brought to the emergency department following a syncopal episode. Earlier in the day, the patient had multiple bowel movements that filled the toilet bowl with copious amounts of bright red blood. Minutes later, she felt dizzy and lightheaded and collapsed into her daughter's arms. The patient has a medical history of diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Her temperature is 99.0°F (37.2°C), blood pressure is 155/94 mmHg, pulse is 82/min, respirations are 15/min, and oxygen saturation is 99% on room air. The patient's exam is notable for fecal occult blood positivity on rectal exam; however, the patient is no longer having bloody bowel movements. The patient's lungs are clear to auscultation and her abdomen is soft and nontender. Labs are ordered as seen below.

Hemoglobin: 7.1 g/dL
Hematocrit: 25%
Leukocyte count: 5,300/mm^3 with normal differential
Platelet count: 182,500/mm^3

Two large bore IV's are placed and the patient is given normal saline. What is the best next step in management?

Accepted Answer

Type and screen

Answer

Packed red blood cells

Answer

Fresh frozen plasma

Answer

CT abdomen

Answer

Colonoscopy

Question 8

A 4-year-old boy is brought to the physician for the evaluation of fatigue since he returned from visiting family in South Africa one week ago. The day after he returned, he had fever, chills, and diffuse joint pain for 3 days. His symptoms improved with acetaminophen. He was born at term and has been healthy. His immunizations are up-to-date. His temperature is 37.6°C (99.68°F), pulse is 100/min, and blood pressure is 100/60 mm Hg. Examination shows conjunctival pallor. The remainder of the examination shows no abnormalities. Laboratory studies show:
Hemoglobin 10.8 g/dL
Mean corpuscular volume 68 μm3
Red cell distribution width 14% (N = 13%–15%)
Hemoglobin A2 6% (N < 3.5%)
A peripheral smear shows microcytic, hypochromic erythrocytes, some of which have a darkly stained center and peripheral rim, separated by a pale ring. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in the management of this patient?

Accepted Answer

Reassurance

Answer

Oral pyridoxine

Answer

Iron supplementation

Answer

Folic acid therapy

Answer

Oral succimer

Question 9

A 55-year-old man comes to the physician because of progressive daytime sleepiness and exertional dyspnea for the past 6 months. Physical examination shows conjunctival pallor and several subcutaneous purple spots on his legs. His hemoglobin concentration is 8.5 g/dL, leukocyte count is 3,000/mm3, and platelet count is 16,000/mm3. Which of the following laboratory values is most likely to be increased in this patient?

Accepted Answer

Erythropoietin concentration

Answer

Reticulocyte count

Answer

Lactate dehydrogenase concentration

Answer

Transferrin concentration

Answer

Haptoglobin concentration

Question 10

A 68-year-old woman comes to the physician because of increasing heartburn for the last few months. During this period, she has taken ranitidine several times a day without relief and has lost 10 kg (22 lbs). She has retrosternal pressure and burning with every meal. She has had heartburn for several years and took ranitidine as needed. She has hypertension. She has smoked one pack of cigarettes daily for the last 40 years and drinks one glass of wine occasionally. Other current medications include amlodipine and hydrochlorothiazide. She appears pale. Her height is 163 cm (5 ft 4 in), her weight is 75 kg (165 lbs), BMI is 27.5 kg/m2. Her temperature is 37.2°C (98.96°F), pulse is 78/min, and blood pressure is 135/80 mm Hg. Cardiovascular examination shows no abnormalities. Abdominal examination shows mild tenderness to palpation in the epigastric region. Bowel sounds are normal. The remainder of the examination shows no abnormalities. Laboratory studies show:
Hemoglobin 10.2 g/dL
Mean corpuscular volume 78 μm
Mean corpuscular hemoglobin 23 pg/cell
Leukocyte count 9,500/mm3
Platelet count 330,000/mm3
Serum
Na+ 137 mEq/L
K+ 3.8 mEq/L
Cl- 100 mEq/L
HCO3- 25 mEq/L
Creatinine 1.2 mg/dL
Lactate dehydrogenase 260 U/L
Alanine aminotransferase 18 U/L
Aspartate aminotransferase 15 U/L
Lipase (N < 280 U/L) 40 U/L
Troponin I (N < 0.1 ng/mL) 0.029 ng/mL
An ECG shows normal sinus rhythm without ST-T changes. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in the management of this patient?

Accepted Answer

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy

Answer

24-hour esophageal pH monitoring

Answer

Barium swallow

Answer

Trial of proton-pump inhibitor

Answer

Esophageal manometry

Hematology (anemias, clotting disorders)

Study Resources

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Iron deficiency anemia

Megaloblastic anemias

Hemolytic anemias

Anemia of chronic disease

Sickle cell disease

Thalassemias

Platelet disorders

Coagulation factor disorders

Venous thromboembolism

Hypercoagulable states

Anticoagulation management

Transfusion medicine

Hematologic malignancies overview

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