NR 507 Week 2 Exam Hematologic Disorders
and Anemias Questions and Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A |
Instant Download Pdf
1. Which component of blood is primarily responsible for oxygen
transport?
A. Platelets
B. Plasma proteins
C. Red blood cells (erythrocytes)
D. Neutrophils
Rationale: Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, the iron-containing
protein responsible for transporting oxygen from the lungs to body
tissues and carrying carbon dioxide back to the lungs. Their biconcave
shape maximizes surface area for efficient gas exchange.
2. Which hormone primarily stimulates red blood cell production?
,A. Insulin
B. Thyroxine
C. Erythropoietin
D. Aldosterone
Rationale: Erythropoietin (EPO), produced primarily by the kidneys in
response to hypoxia, stimulates the bone marrow to increase
erythrocyte production. Reduced kidney function often results in
decreased EPO and anemia.
3. Iron deficiency anemia is most commonly characterized by which
type of red blood cells?
A. Macrocytic and hyperchromic
B. Normocytic and normochromic
C. Microcytic and hypochromic
D. Spherocytic
Rationale: Iron deficiency limits hemoglobin production, resulting in
smaller-than-normal (microcytic) red blood cells with reduced
hemoglobin concentration (hypochromic). These findings are classic
laboratory characteristics of iron deficiency anemia.
, 4. Which laboratory value best reflects the body's iron stores?
A. Serum iron
B. Total iron-binding capacity
C. Hemoglobin
D. Serum ferritin
Rationale: Serum ferritin is the most reliable indicator of iron storage.
Low ferritin is one of the earliest laboratory abnormalities in iron
deficiency anemia before hemoglobin levels begin to decline.
5. Vitamin B12 deficiency most commonly produces which type of
anemia?
A. Microcytic anemia
B. Hemolytic anemia
C. Megaloblastic anemia
D. Aplastic anemia
Rationale: Vitamin B12 deficiency impairs DNA synthesis, producing
large immature erythrocytes called megaloblasts. The resulting
macrocytic anemia is known as megaloblastic anemia.
, 6. Which neurologic symptom is commonly associated with vitamin
B12 deficiency?
A. Hearing loss
B. Tremors
C. Peripheral neuropathy
D. Diplopia
Rationale: Vitamin B12 deficiency causes demyelination of nerve
fibers, leading to numbness, tingling, decreased vibration sense, gait
instability, and peripheral neuropathy. Folate deficiency does not
produce neurologic deficits.
7. Folate deficiency differs from vitamin B12 deficiency because
folate deficiency:
A. Causes severe neurologic deficits.
B. Produces microcytic anemia.
C. Does not usually produce neurologic symptoms.
D. Increases iron stores.
Rationale: Although both deficiencies cause megaloblastic anemia,
only vitamin B12 deficiency typically results in neurologic
manifestations because of its role in maintaining myelin integrity.
and Anemias Questions and Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A |
Instant Download Pdf
1. Which component of blood is primarily responsible for oxygen
transport?
A. Platelets
B. Plasma proteins
C. Red blood cells (erythrocytes)
D. Neutrophils
Rationale: Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, the iron-containing
protein responsible for transporting oxygen from the lungs to body
tissues and carrying carbon dioxide back to the lungs. Their biconcave
shape maximizes surface area for efficient gas exchange.
2. Which hormone primarily stimulates red blood cell production?
,A. Insulin
B. Thyroxine
C. Erythropoietin
D. Aldosterone
Rationale: Erythropoietin (EPO), produced primarily by the kidneys in
response to hypoxia, stimulates the bone marrow to increase
erythrocyte production. Reduced kidney function often results in
decreased EPO and anemia.
3. Iron deficiency anemia is most commonly characterized by which
type of red blood cells?
A. Macrocytic and hyperchromic
B. Normocytic and normochromic
C. Microcytic and hypochromic
D. Spherocytic
Rationale: Iron deficiency limits hemoglobin production, resulting in
smaller-than-normal (microcytic) red blood cells with reduced
hemoglobin concentration (hypochromic). These findings are classic
laboratory characteristics of iron deficiency anemia.
, 4. Which laboratory value best reflects the body's iron stores?
A. Serum iron
B. Total iron-binding capacity
C. Hemoglobin
D. Serum ferritin
Rationale: Serum ferritin is the most reliable indicator of iron storage.
Low ferritin is one of the earliest laboratory abnormalities in iron
deficiency anemia before hemoglobin levels begin to decline.
5. Vitamin B12 deficiency most commonly produces which type of
anemia?
A. Microcytic anemia
B. Hemolytic anemia
C. Megaloblastic anemia
D. Aplastic anemia
Rationale: Vitamin B12 deficiency impairs DNA synthesis, producing
large immature erythrocytes called megaloblasts. The resulting
macrocytic anemia is known as megaloblastic anemia.
, 6. Which neurologic symptom is commonly associated with vitamin
B12 deficiency?
A. Hearing loss
B. Tremors
C. Peripheral neuropathy
D. Diplopia
Rationale: Vitamin B12 deficiency causes demyelination of nerve
fibers, leading to numbness, tingling, decreased vibration sense, gait
instability, and peripheral neuropathy. Folate deficiency does not
produce neurologic deficits.
7. Folate deficiency differs from vitamin B12 deficiency because
folate deficiency:
A. Causes severe neurologic deficits.
B. Produces microcytic anemia.
C. Does not usually produce neurologic symptoms.
D. Increases iron stores.
Rationale: Although both deficiencies cause megaloblastic anemia,
only vitamin B12 deficiency typically results in neurologic
manifestations because of its role in maintaining myelin integrity.
