FHEA - Hematologic Disorders Exam | Verified Exam Questions and
Answers | Latest Updated Study Material 2026
Question:
FHEA - Hematologic Disorders Exam | Comprehensive
Anemia
Answer:
A complex of signs and symptoms characterized by
decreases in numbers of RBCs or Hb content caused by blood loss, deficient erythropoiesis,
excessive hemolysis, or a combination of these changes
Question:
*Anemia only occurs when insult is severe enough to disturb normal homeostatic mechanisms
and exceed reserves*
4 components necessary for RBC formation
Answer:
1. Functional
erythropoietin (hormone) mechanism: source 90% renal, 10% hepatic. (erythropoietin supply is
diminished in advancing renal failure, usually beginning when GFR <49 mL/min.
Question:
2. Uncompromised DNA synthesis: impaired by chronic inflammation (ex. autoimmune
disorders including SLE, RA, and chronic infection). Reversible when inflammation tx.
3. Hemoglobin synthesis unimpaired by lack of iron, vitamin or globin production: need iron, B
vitamins, vitamin C, protein and others
4. Intact marrow microenvironment - revealed in production of reticulocytes (N 1-2% of total
RBC). Reticulocytosis = body working to correct anemia. Absence of reticulocytosis or presence
of reticulocytopenia = inadequate bone marrow response.
Causes of anemia: Blood loss
What are some primary care causes and corresponding questions you'd ask?
Answer:
Clinically significant = 1 L sudden, as little as a few mL/d for chronic
,Question:
Causes: miscarriage, erosive gastritis, menorrhagia, GI malignancy. Are you bleeding from your
rectum, vagina, are you throwing up blood?
Causes of anemia: Premature destruction of RBC
Normal lifespan of RBC?
Answer:
Hemolysis - shortened RBC lifespan
(<90 d)
Question:
Normal = 90-120
Part of mechanism of ACD
CBC Evaluation of Anemia: which 7 lab values to look at
Answer:
Hb,
Hct, and RBC count - values should be proportionately decreased (normal H&H ratio 1:3)
Question:
Cell size: MCV (microcytic=<80 fL, normocytic 80-96 fL, macrocytic >96 fL)
Hb content: Mean cell hb (MCH), mean cell hb concentration (MCHC) - hb gives cell color (-
chromic)
Hypochromic = pale = MCHC <31 g/dL
RBC distribution width (RDW): an index of variation of RBC size. >15% = new cells differ in
size (larger or smaller) when compared with older cells. One of earliest signs of evolving micro
or macro anemia.
Reticulocyte percentage - 1-2% N. NL response to anemia is reticulocytosis (>2%).
What type of Anemia? Most common etiologies?
- Decreased Hg, Hct and RBC. Normocytic (MCV =80-96 fL), normochromic anemia with NL
RDW
MCV=NL
MCHC=NL
RDW=NL
Answer:
, *Anemia of acute blood loss* - ex. 72 year old man
with acute GI bleed
Question:
OR
*Anemia of chronic disease* - ex. 32 year old woman with newly-diagnosed systemic lupus
erythematosus
What type of Anemia? Most common etiologies?
- Decreased Hg, Hct, RBC, microcytic (MCV<80 fL) hypochromic anemia with elevated RDW
MCV decreased
MCHC decreased
RDW increased
Answer:
*Iron deficiency anemia* - ex. 68 year old man
with erosive gastritis, 48 year old woman with menorrhagia
Question:
Small cells due to insufficient hg with new cells smaller than old cells.
What type of Anemia? Most common etiologies? Who are your at risk groups?
- Microcytic (MCV <80 fL) hypochromic anemia with NL RDW.
RBC increased
MCV decreased
MCHC decreased
RDW NL
Answer:
*Alpha or beta thalassemia minor (aka thalassemia
trait)* Ex. 27 year old man of AA ancestry with beta thalassemia minor.
Question:
At risk groups for alpha - Asian, african ancestry (AAA)
At risk for beta - African, Mediterranean, Middle eastern (BAMME)
Through inherited genetic variation (NOT considered disease state), small, pale cells that are all
around the same size.
Answers | Latest Updated Study Material 2026
Question:
FHEA - Hematologic Disorders Exam | Comprehensive
Anemia
Answer:
A complex of signs and symptoms characterized by
decreases in numbers of RBCs or Hb content caused by blood loss, deficient erythropoiesis,
excessive hemolysis, or a combination of these changes
Question:
*Anemia only occurs when insult is severe enough to disturb normal homeostatic mechanisms
and exceed reserves*
4 components necessary for RBC formation
Answer:
1. Functional
erythropoietin (hormone) mechanism: source 90% renal, 10% hepatic. (erythropoietin supply is
diminished in advancing renal failure, usually beginning when GFR <49 mL/min.
Question:
2. Uncompromised DNA synthesis: impaired by chronic inflammation (ex. autoimmune
disorders including SLE, RA, and chronic infection). Reversible when inflammation tx.
3. Hemoglobin synthesis unimpaired by lack of iron, vitamin or globin production: need iron, B
vitamins, vitamin C, protein and others
4. Intact marrow microenvironment - revealed in production of reticulocytes (N 1-2% of total
RBC). Reticulocytosis = body working to correct anemia. Absence of reticulocytosis or presence
of reticulocytopenia = inadequate bone marrow response.
Causes of anemia: Blood loss
What are some primary care causes and corresponding questions you'd ask?
Answer:
Clinically significant = 1 L sudden, as little as a few mL/d for chronic
,Question:
Causes: miscarriage, erosive gastritis, menorrhagia, GI malignancy. Are you bleeding from your
rectum, vagina, are you throwing up blood?
Causes of anemia: Premature destruction of RBC
Normal lifespan of RBC?
Answer:
Hemolysis - shortened RBC lifespan
(<90 d)
Question:
Normal = 90-120
Part of mechanism of ACD
CBC Evaluation of Anemia: which 7 lab values to look at
Answer:
Hb,
Hct, and RBC count - values should be proportionately decreased (normal H&H ratio 1:3)
Question:
Cell size: MCV (microcytic=<80 fL, normocytic 80-96 fL, macrocytic >96 fL)
Hb content: Mean cell hb (MCH), mean cell hb concentration (MCHC) - hb gives cell color (-
chromic)
Hypochromic = pale = MCHC <31 g/dL
RBC distribution width (RDW): an index of variation of RBC size. >15% = new cells differ in
size (larger or smaller) when compared with older cells. One of earliest signs of evolving micro
or macro anemia.
Reticulocyte percentage - 1-2% N. NL response to anemia is reticulocytosis (>2%).
What type of Anemia? Most common etiologies?
- Decreased Hg, Hct and RBC. Normocytic (MCV =80-96 fL), normochromic anemia with NL
RDW
MCV=NL
MCHC=NL
RDW=NL
Answer:
, *Anemia of acute blood loss* - ex. 72 year old man
with acute GI bleed
Question:
OR
*Anemia of chronic disease* - ex. 32 year old woman with newly-diagnosed systemic lupus
erythematosus
What type of Anemia? Most common etiologies?
- Decreased Hg, Hct, RBC, microcytic (MCV<80 fL) hypochromic anemia with elevated RDW
MCV decreased
MCHC decreased
RDW increased
Answer:
*Iron deficiency anemia* - ex. 68 year old man
with erosive gastritis, 48 year old woman with menorrhagia
Question:
Small cells due to insufficient hg with new cells smaller than old cells.
What type of Anemia? Most common etiologies? Who are your at risk groups?
- Microcytic (MCV <80 fL) hypochromic anemia with NL RDW.
RBC increased
MCV decreased
MCHC decreased
RDW NL
Answer:
*Alpha or beta thalassemia minor (aka thalassemia
trait)* Ex. 27 year old man of AA ancestry with beta thalassemia minor.
Question:
At risk groups for alpha - Asian, african ancestry (AAA)
At risk for beta - African, Mediterranean, Middle eastern (BAMME)
Through inherited genetic variation (NOT considered disease state), small, pale cells that are all
around the same size.
