KAPLAN HEMATOLOGY NURSING EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Red Blood Cell Disorders (Anemia Types)
Sickle Cell Disease and Crisis Management
White Blood Cell Disorders (Leukemia, Lymphoma)
Bleeding and Coagulation Disorders (Hemophilia, DIC, thrombocytopenia)
Blood Transfusion Therapy and Reaction Management
Hematologic Pharmacology (Anticoagulants, Iron, B12)
Diagnostic Testing and Laboratory Values (CBC, PT/INR, aPTT)
Oncology Nursing and Stem Cell Transplantation
Infection Control in Neutropenic Patients
Ethical and Legal Compliance in Hematology Care
Introduction
This comprehensive hematology nursing assessment evaluates critical knowledge required for safe and effective clinical practice in blood disorder
management. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice and scenario-based questions designed to assess your understanding of foundational
theory, applied professional knowledge, regulatory compliance, ethics, and real-world clinical decision-making. Questions emphasize
prioritization, critical thinking, and evidence-based interventions for patients with anemia, bleeding disorders, leukemia, lymphoma, transfusion
needs, and coagulation abnormalities. Success on this exam demonstrates readiness for NCLEX-RN, clinical rotations, and professional
hematology nursing practice where accurate assessment and timely intervention prevent complications and improve patient outcomes.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
A patient with iron deficiency anemia has a hemoglobin level of 7.2 g/dL. Which symptom should the nurse prioritize as most concerning?
,A. Fatigue after walking
B. Pale skin and conjunctiva
C. Shortness of breath at rest
D. Mild headache
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Shortness of breath at rest indicates severe anemia with inadequate oxygen delivery to tissues, requiring immediate intervention.
Hemoglobin below 8 g/dL at rest suggests critical oxygenation compromise, while fatigue, pallor, and mild headache are expected but less urgent
findings.
---
Which laboratory value is most specific for diagnosing vitamin B12 deficiency anemia?
A. Hemoglobin 9.5 g/dL
B. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) 115 fL
C. Serum vitamin B12 level 80 pg/mL
D. Reticulocyte count 0.5%
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Serum vitamin B12 level below 100 pg/mL is diagnostic for B12 deficiency. While elevated MCV indicates macrocytic anemia, only
the B12 level confirms the specific deficiency cause.
---
A child with hemophilia A experiences a bleeding episode. Which intervention should the nurse expect to be administered?
A. Heparin infusion
B. Cryoprecipitate
C. Packed red blood cells
D. Whole blood transfusion
🟢 Correct answer: B
,🔴 RATIONALE: Cryoprecipitate contains clotting factor VIII, which replaces the deficient factor in hemophilia A. Heparin is contraindicated as an
anticoagulant, and blood products do not contain clotting factors.
---
Which patient statement indicates effective teaching about iron supplement administration?
A. "I will take iron with milk to reduce stomach upset."
B. "I will take iron with orange juice to improve absorption."
C. "I will take iron with antacids to prevent constipation."
D. "I will take iron with coffee to enhance effectiveness."
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Vitamin C in orange juice enhances iron absorption. Milk, antacids, and coffee contain calcium or compounds that inhibit iron
absorption.
---
A patient with sickle cell disease is in acute crisis. What is the nurse's FIRST priority intervention?
A. Administer oxygen therapy
B. Provide pain medication
C. Assess oxygen saturation
D. Start IV fluid hydration
🟢 Correct answer: D
🔴 RATIONALE: IV fluid hydration is the FIRST priority in sickle cell crisis to reduce blood viscosity and promote circulation. Pain management is
critical but hydration prevents further sickling.
---
Which laboratory finding indicates therapeutic response to warfarin therapy?
, A. PT 12 seconds
B. INR 2.5
C. aPTT 45 seconds
D. Platelets 150,000/mm³
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: INR 2.0–3.0 indicates therapeutic warfarin effect for most conditions. PT measures warfarin effect but INR is the standardized
therapeutic indicator; aPTT monitors heparin.
---
A patient with leukemia has a neutrophil count of 400/mm³. Which precaution is MOST important?
A. Bleeding precautions
B. Neutropenic precautions
C. Seizure precautions
D. Fall precautions
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Neutrophil count below 500/mm³ indicates severe neutropenia with high infection risk. Neutropenic precautions (strict hand
hygiene, private room, no fresh flowers/produce) prevent life-threatening infections.
---
Which sign indicates a hemolytic transfusion reaction?
A. Mild fever 99.8°F
B. Flank pain and hematuria
C. Localized itching at site
D. Tachycardia 102 bpm
🟢 Correct answer: B
2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Red Blood Cell Disorders (Anemia Types)
Sickle Cell Disease and Crisis Management
White Blood Cell Disorders (Leukemia, Lymphoma)
Bleeding and Coagulation Disorders (Hemophilia, DIC, thrombocytopenia)
Blood Transfusion Therapy and Reaction Management
Hematologic Pharmacology (Anticoagulants, Iron, B12)
Diagnostic Testing and Laboratory Values (CBC, PT/INR, aPTT)
Oncology Nursing and Stem Cell Transplantation
Infection Control in Neutropenic Patients
Ethical and Legal Compliance in Hematology Care
Introduction
This comprehensive hematology nursing assessment evaluates critical knowledge required for safe and effective clinical practice in blood disorder
management. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice and scenario-based questions designed to assess your understanding of foundational
theory, applied professional knowledge, regulatory compliance, ethics, and real-world clinical decision-making. Questions emphasize
prioritization, critical thinking, and evidence-based interventions for patients with anemia, bleeding disorders, leukemia, lymphoma, transfusion
needs, and coagulation abnormalities. Success on this exam demonstrates readiness for NCLEX-RN, clinical rotations, and professional
hematology nursing practice where accurate assessment and timely intervention prevent complications and improve patient outcomes.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
A patient with iron deficiency anemia has a hemoglobin level of 7.2 g/dL. Which symptom should the nurse prioritize as most concerning?
,A. Fatigue after walking
B. Pale skin and conjunctiva
C. Shortness of breath at rest
D. Mild headache
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Shortness of breath at rest indicates severe anemia with inadequate oxygen delivery to tissues, requiring immediate intervention.
Hemoglobin below 8 g/dL at rest suggests critical oxygenation compromise, while fatigue, pallor, and mild headache are expected but less urgent
findings.
---
Which laboratory value is most specific for diagnosing vitamin B12 deficiency anemia?
A. Hemoglobin 9.5 g/dL
B. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) 115 fL
C. Serum vitamin B12 level 80 pg/mL
D. Reticulocyte count 0.5%
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Serum vitamin B12 level below 100 pg/mL is diagnostic for B12 deficiency. While elevated MCV indicates macrocytic anemia, only
the B12 level confirms the specific deficiency cause.
---
A child with hemophilia A experiences a bleeding episode. Which intervention should the nurse expect to be administered?
A. Heparin infusion
B. Cryoprecipitate
C. Packed red blood cells
D. Whole blood transfusion
🟢 Correct answer: B
,🔴 RATIONALE: Cryoprecipitate contains clotting factor VIII, which replaces the deficient factor in hemophilia A. Heparin is contraindicated as an
anticoagulant, and blood products do not contain clotting factors.
---
Which patient statement indicates effective teaching about iron supplement administration?
A. "I will take iron with milk to reduce stomach upset."
B. "I will take iron with orange juice to improve absorption."
C. "I will take iron with antacids to prevent constipation."
D. "I will take iron with coffee to enhance effectiveness."
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Vitamin C in orange juice enhances iron absorption. Milk, antacids, and coffee contain calcium or compounds that inhibit iron
absorption.
---
A patient with sickle cell disease is in acute crisis. What is the nurse's FIRST priority intervention?
A. Administer oxygen therapy
B. Provide pain medication
C. Assess oxygen saturation
D. Start IV fluid hydration
🟢 Correct answer: D
🔴 RATIONALE: IV fluid hydration is the FIRST priority in sickle cell crisis to reduce blood viscosity and promote circulation. Pain management is
critical but hydration prevents further sickling.
---
Which laboratory finding indicates therapeutic response to warfarin therapy?
, A. PT 12 seconds
B. INR 2.5
C. aPTT 45 seconds
D. Platelets 150,000/mm³
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: INR 2.0–3.0 indicates therapeutic warfarin effect for most conditions. PT measures warfarin effect but INR is the standardized
therapeutic indicator; aPTT monitors heparin.
---
A patient with leukemia has a neutrophil count of 400/mm³. Which precaution is MOST important?
A. Bleeding precautions
B. Neutropenic precautions
C. Seizure precautions
D. Fall precautions
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Neutrophil count below 500/mm³ indicates severe neutropenia with high infection risk. Neutropenic precautions (strict hand
hygiene, private room, no fresh flowers/produce) prevent life-threatening infections.
---
Which sign indicates a hemolytic transfusion reaction?
A. Mild fever 99.8°F
B. Flank pain and hematuria
C. Localized itching at site
D. Tachycardia 102 bpm
🟢 Correct answer: B
