UAMS Hematology Lab Final Exam
2025/2026 Study Guide | Verified Questions
& Correct Answers with Detailed Rationales
| Comprehensive Exam Prep
UAMS HEMATOLOGY LAB FINAL EXAM 2025/2026 STUDY GUIDE
Document Overview:
• This comprehensive study guide contains 200 verified questions with correct
answers and detailed rationales designed to reinforce hematology laboratory
concepts and prepare you for the UAMS final exam through active recall and critical
thinking.
• Use this material by reviewing questions daily, focusing on rationales to
understand the "why" behind each answer, and identifying weak topic areas to
guide targeted review before the examination.
QUESTION 1
Which of the following is the normal range for hemoglobin in adult males?
A) 8.0-10.0 g/dL
B) 10.0-12.0 g/dL
C) 13.5-17.5 g/dL
D) 18.0-20.0 g/dL
E) 20.0-22.0 g/dL
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: C) 13.5-17.5 g/dL
The normal hemoglobin range for adult males is 13.5-17.5 g/dL. This represents the
concentration of hemoglobin protein in blood and reflects oxygen-carrying
capacity. Females typically have slightly lower values (12.0-15.5 g/dL). Values below
13.5 g/dL in males are considered anemia, while values above 17.5 g/dL suggest
erythrocytosis or polycythemia.
,QUESTION 2
What is the primary function of platelets in hemostasis?
A) Oxygen transport
B) Immune response mediation
C) Initial vascular plug formation
D) Fibrin polymerization
E) Red blood cell production
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: C) Initial vascular plug formation
Platelets form the primary hemostatic plug in response to vascular injury through
adhesion, activation, and aggregation. This occurs within seconds of vessel damage.
Fibrin polymerization is performed by coagulation factors, oxygen transport by
hemoglobin, immune response by white blood cells, and RBC production by bone
marrow. Platelets are essential for the primary phase of hemostasis.
QUESTION 3
Which laboratory test is used to assess overall coagulation pathway function?
A) Bleeding time
B) Prothrombin time (PT)
C) Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
D) Thrombin time (TT)
E) Platelet count
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: C) Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
The aPTT assesses the intrinsic and common coagulation pathways (factors XII, XI,
IX, VIII, X, V, II, and fibrinogen). PT tests the extrinsic and common pathways.
Bleeding time (largely obsolete) assessed platelet function, while thrombin time
,measures fibrin formation. The aPTT is the most sensitive test for detecting factor
deficiencies and is used to monitor heparin therapy.
QUESTION 4
What is the normal range for platelet count in adults?
A) 50,000-100,000/μL
B) 100,000-150,000/μL
C) 150,000-400,000/μL
D) 400,000-600,000/μL
E) 600,000-800,000/μL
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: C) 150,000-400,000/μL
Normal platelet count ranges from 150,000-400,000 platelets per microliter. Counts
below 150,000/μL define thrombocytopenia, while counts above 400,000/μL
indicate thrombocytosis. Severe thrombocytopenia (<50,000/μL) increases bleeding
risk, particularly with counts below 20,000/μL where spontaneous hemorrhage may
occur.
QUESTION 5
Which of the following RBC indices would be decreased in iron deficiency
anemia?
A) Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH)
B) Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and RBC distribution width
(RDW)
C) MCV, MCH, and MCHC
D) Hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit
E) RBC count and reticulocyte count
, ✓ CORRECT ANSWER: C) MCV, MCH, and MCHC
Iron deficiency anemia produces microcytic hypochromic RBCs, resulting in
decreased MCV (cell size), MCH (absolute hemoglobin per cell), and MCHC
(hemoglobin concentration per cell). This occurs because iron is essential for
hemoglobin synthesis. RDW typically increases as cells become more
heterogeneous in size. The MCHC is particularly resistant to change and remains
relatively normal unless severe deficiency exists.
QUESTION 6
What is the lifespan of a normal red blood cell?
A) 30-40 days
B) 50-70 days
C) 100-120 days
D) 150-180 days
E) 200-240 days
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: C) 100-120 days
Normal erythrocytes survive approximately 100-120 days (average 120 days) in the
circulation. RBCs are then removed by the reticuloendothelial system, primarily in
the spleen, where they are recycled for their component parts. Shortening of RBC
lifespan occurs in hemolytic anemias. The bone marrow must produce
approximately 200 billion new RBCs daily to maintain this equilibrium.
QUESTION 7
Which white blood cell type comprises the largest percentage of normal
leukocytes?
A) Lymphocytes
B) Monocytes
2025/2026 Study Guide | Verified Questions
& Correct Answers with Detailed Rationales
| Comprehensive Exam Prep
UAMS HEMATOLOGY LAB FINAL EXAM 2025/2026 STUDY GUIDE
Document Overview:
• This comprehensive study guide contains 200 verified questions with correct
answers and detailed rationales designed to reinforce hematology laboratory
concepts and prepare you for the UAMS final exam through active recall and critical
thinking.
• Use this material by reviewing questions daily, focusing on rationales to
understand the "why" behind each answer, and identifying weak topic areas to
guide targeted review before the examination.
QUESTION 1
Which of the following is the normal range for hemoglobin in adult males?
A) 8.0-10.0 g/dL
B) 10.0-12.0 g/dL
C) 13.5-17.5 g/dL
D) 18.0-20.0 g/dL
E) 20.0-22.0 g/dL
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: C) 13.5-17.5 g/dL
The normal hemoglobin range for adult males is 13.5-17.5 g/dL. This represents the
concentration of hemoglobin protein in blood and reflects oxygen-carrying
capacity. Females typically have slightly lower values (12.0-15.5 g/dL). Values below
13.5 g/dL in males are considered anemia, while values above 17.5 g/dL suggest
erythrocytosis or polycythemia.
,QUESTION 2
What is the primary function of platelets in hemostasis?
A) Oxygen transport
B) Immune response mediation
C) Initial vascular plug formation
D) Fibrin polymerization
E) Red blood cell production
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: C) Initial vascular plug formation
Platelets form the primary hemostatic plug in response to vascular injury through
adhesion, activation, and aggregation. This occurs within seconds of vessel damage.
Fibrin polymerization is performed by coagulation factors, oxygen transport by
hemoglobin, immune response by white blood cells, and RBC production by bone
marrow. Platelets are essential for the primary phase of hemostasis.
QUESTION 3
Which laboratory test is used to assess overall coagulation pathway function?
A) Bleeding time
B) Prothrombin time (PT)
C) Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
D) Thrombin time (TT)
E) Platelet count
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: C) Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
The aPTT assesses the intrinsic and common coagulation pathways (factors XII, XI,
IX, VIII, X, V, II, and fibrinogen). PT tests the extrinsic and common pathways.
Bleeding time (largely obsolete) assessed platelet function, while thrombin time
,measures fibrin formation. The aPTT is the most sensitive test for detecting factor
deficiencies and is used to monitor heparin therapy.
QUESTION 4
What is the normal range for platelet count in adults?
A) 50,000-100,000/μL
B) 100,000-150,000/μL
C) 150,000-400,000/μL
D) 400,000-600,000/μL
E) 600,000-800,000/μL
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: C) 150,000-400,000/μL
Normal platelet count ranges from 150,000-400,000 platelets per microliter. Counts
below 150,000/μL define thrombocytopenia, while counts above 400,000/μL
indicate thrombocytosis. Severe thrombocytopenia (<50,000/μL) increases bleeding
risk, particularly with counts below 20,000/μL where spontaneous hemorrhage may
occur.
QUESTION 5
Which of the following RBC indices would be decreased in iron deficiency
anemia?
A) Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH)
B) Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and RBC distribution width
(RDW)
C) MCV, MCH, and MCHC
D) Hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit
E) RBC count and reticulocyte count
, ✓ CORRECT ANSWER: C) MCV, MCH, and MCHC
Iron deficiency anemia produces microcytic hypochromic RBCs, resulting in
decreased MCV (cell size), MCH (absolute hemoglobin per cell), and MCHC
(hemoglobin concentration per cell). This occurs because iron is essential for
hemoglobin synthesis. RDW typically increases as cells become more
heterogeneous in size. The MCHC is particularly resistant to change and remains
relatively normal unless severe deficiency exists.
QUESTION 6
What is the lifespan of a normal red blood cell?
A) 30-40 days
B) 50-70 days
C) 100-120 days
D) 150-180 days
E) 200-240 days
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: C) 100-120 days
Normal erythrocytes survive approximately 100-120 days (average 120 days) in the
circulation. RBCs are then removed by the reticuloendothelial system, primarily in
the spleen, where they are recycled for their component parts. Shortening of RBC
lifespan occurs in hemolytic anemias. The bone marrow must produce
approximately 200 billion new RBCs daily to maintain this equilibrium.
QUESTION 7
Which white blood cell type comprises the largest percentage of normal
leukocytes?
A) Lymphocytes
B) Monocytes
