This comprehensive test bank contains 200 exam-style questions covering all major topics
for NSG 530 Advanced Pathophysiology Exam 4. Questions are organized into nine
sections: Iron Deficiency Anemia, Pernicious Anemia & B12 Deficiency, Anemia of Chronic
Disease, Hemolytic Anemias, Megaloblastic & Folate Deficiencies, Aplastic Anemia & Bone
Marrow Disorders, Polycythemia & Myeloproliferative Disorders, Leukemias & WBC
Disorders, and Hemostasis & Bleeding Disorders. Each question includes correct answer
and concise rationale for efficient study. Perfect for Wilkes University NSG 530 students
preparing for the 2026 exam. Guaranteed to help you pass!
Sections Covered:
1. Anemia Overview & Iron Deficiency Anemia (1-30)
2. Pernicious Anemia & Vitamin B12 Deficiency (31-60)
3. Anemia of Chronic Disease (61-85)
4. Hemolytic Anemias & Other Anemias (86-110)
5. Megaloblastic Anemias & Folate Deficiency (111-130)
6. Aplastic Anemia & Bone Marrow Disorders (131-150)
7. Polycythemia & Myeloproliferative Disorders (151-170)
8. White Blood Cell Disorders & Leukemias (171-190)
9. Hemostasis & Bleeding Disorders (191-200)
SECTION 1: ANEMIA OVERVIEW & IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA
Questions 1-30
CASE: A 4-year-old child is brought to the pediatric clinic by his mother. She reports that
he has been increasingly irritable, has lost his appetite, and seems less active than usual.
On examination, the child appears pale. Laboratory studies reveal a hemoglobin of 7.2
g/dL.
1. Based on the clinical presentation and laboratory findings, the nurse practitioner
suspects which type of anemia?
A. Pernicious anemia
B. Iron deficiency anemia
C. Hemolytic anemia
,D. Anemia of chronic disease
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Iron deficiency anemia presents with pallor, irritability, anorexia, and
decreased activity. Hemoglobin drops to 7-8 g/dL. Common causes include dietary
deficiency, impaired absorption, increased requirement, or chronic blood loss.
2. A patient with iron deficiency anemia has been prescribed iron supplements. The nurse
correctly educates the patient that treatment should continue for at least:
A. 1 month
B. 3 months
C. 6 weeks
D. 2 weeks
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Iron supplementation requires at least 3 months to replenish tissue stores and
normalize hemoglobin. Taking iron with vitamin C enhances absorption; antacids and
calcium should be avoided.
CASE: A 68-year-old patient with long-standing iron deficiency anemia presents with
brittle, thin, coarsely rigid, and spoon-shaped nails, along with painful ulcerations in the
mouth and difficulty swallowing.
3. These findings represent which stage of iron deficiency anemia progression?
A. Early iron depletion
B. Iron-deficient erythropoiesis
C. Advanced iron deficiency with tissue changes
D. Recovery phase
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Advanced iron deficiency causes koilonychia (spoon-shaped nails), cheilosis,
stomatitis, and dysphagia from prolonged severe deficiency affecting epithelial tissues.
4. Which laboratory finding is most consistent with iron deficiency anemia?
A. Elevated ferritin
B. Decreased serum iron and increased total iron-binding capacity (TIBC)
C. Elevated vitamin B12
D. Normal mean corpuscular volume (MCV)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Iron deficiency anemia shows low serum iron, high TIBC, low ferritin, and low
MCV (microcytic). Ferritin reflects iron stores and is decreased.
,5. The most common cause of iron deficiency anemia in adults is:
A. Inadequate dietary intake
B. Chronic blood loss
C. Malabsorption syndromes
D. Increased iron requirements
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Chronic blood loss (GI bleeding, menorrhagia) is the most common cause in
adults. Dietary deficiency is more common in children and pregnant women.
6. A pregnant patient at 28 weeks gestation has a hemoglobin of 10.2 g/dL. The nurse
recognizes this as:
A. Normal physiological anemia of pregnancy
B. Iron deficiency anemia requiring supplementation
C. Hemolytic anemia
D. Thalassemia trait
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Although hemodilution occurs in pregnancy, hemoglobin below 11 g/dL in the
second trimester indicates iron deficiency anemia requiring supplementation.
7. Which dietary instruction should the nurse provide to enhance iron absorption?
A. Take iron with dairy products
B. Take iron with orange juice or vitamin C
C. Take iron with high-fiber foods
D. Take iron with calcium supplements
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Vitamin C enhances non-heme iron absorption. Dairy, calcium, and high-fiber
foods inhibit iron absorption and should be taken separately.
8. A child with iron deficiency anemia may exhibit which behavioral finding?
A. Hyperactivity
B. Pica
C. Aggression
D. Excessive sleepiness
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pica (craving for non-food items like ice, dirt, or clay) is a classic behavioral
manifestation of iron deficiency, especially in children.
, 9. Which population is at highest risk for iron deficiency anemia?
A. Adolescent males
B. Postmenopausal women
C. Toddlers and premenopausal women
D. Elderly men
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Toddlers have rapid growth and limited diets; premenopausal women lose iron
through menstruation. Both groups have increased iron requirements.
10. The earliest laboratory change in iron deficiency is:
A. Decreased hemoglobin
B. Decreased serum ferritin
C. Decreased MCV
D. Increased TIBC
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ferritin drops first as iron stores are depleted. Hemoglobin and MCV decrease
later as iron deficiency progresses.
11. A patient with iron deficiency anemia reports fatigue and difficulty concentrating.
These symptoms are primarily due to:
A. Decreased oxygen-carrying capacity
B. Neurological damage
C. Vitamin deficiency
D. Bone marrow suppression
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Fatigue and cognitive symptoms result from decreased hemoglobin and
reduced oxygen delivery to tissues. Neurological symptoms are not typical of iron
deficiency.
12. Which medication should the nurse instruct a patient to avoid when taking oral iron
supplements?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Antacids containing calcium or magnesium
C. Aspirin
D. Ibuprofen
Correct Answer: B
for NSG 530 Advanced Pathophysiology Exam 4. Questions are organized into nine
sections: Iron Deficiency Anemia, Pernicious Anemia & B12 Deficiency, Anemia of Chronic
Disease, Hemolytic Anemias, Megaloblastic & Folate Deficiencies, Aplastic Anemia & Bone
Marrow Disorders, Polycythemia & Myeloproliferative Disorders, Leukemias & WBC
Disorders, and Hemostasis & Bleeding Disorders. Each question includes correct answer
and concise rationale for efficient study. Perfect for Wilkes University NSG 530 students
preparing for the 2026 exam. Guaranteed to help you pass!
Sections Covered:
1. Anemia Overview & Iron Deficiency Anemia (1-30)
2. Pernicious Anemia & Vitamin B12 Deficiency (31-60)
3. Anemia of Chronic Disease (61-85)
4. Hemolytic Anemias & Other Anemias (86-110)
5. Megaloblastic Anemias & Folate Deficiency (111-130)
6. Aplastic Anemia & Bone Marrow Disorders (131-150)
7. Polycythemia & Myeloproliferative Disorders (151-170)
8. White Blood Cell Disorders & Leukemias (171-190)
9. Hemostasis & Bleeding Disorders (191-200)
SECTION 1: ANEMIA OVERVIEW & IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA
Questions 1-30
CASE: A 4-year-old child is brought to the pediatric clinic by his mother. She reports that
he has been increasingly irritable, has lost his appetite, and seems less active than usual.
On examination, the child appears pale. Laboratory studies reveal a hemoglobin of 7.2
g/dL.
1. Based on the clinical presentation and laboratory findings, the nurse practitioner
suspects which type of anemia?
A. Pernicious anemia
B. Iron deficiency anemia
C. Hemolytic anemia
,D. Anemia of chronic disease
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Iron deficiency anemia presents with pallor, irritability, anorexia, and
decreased activity. Hemoglobin drops to 7-8 g/dL. Common causes include dietary
deficiency, impaired absorption, increased requirement, or chronic blood loss.
2. A patient with iron deficiency anemia has been prescribed iron supplements. The nurse
correctly educates the patient that treatment should continue for at least:
A. 1 month
B. 3 months
C. 6 weeks
D. 2 weeks
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Iron supplementation requires at least 3 months to replenish tissue stores and
normalize hemoglobin. Taking iron with vitamin C enhances absorption; antacids and
calcium should be avoided.
CASE: A 68-year-old patient with long-standing iron deficiency anemia presents with
brittle, thin, coarsely rigid, and spoon-shaped nails, along with painful ulcerations in the
mouth and difficulty swallowing.
3. These findings represent which stage of iron deficiency anemia progression?
A. Early iron depletion
B. Iron-deficient erythropoiesis
C. Advanced iron deficiency with tissue changes
D. Recovery phase
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Advanced iron deficiency causes koilonychia (spoon-shaped nails), cheilosis,
stomatitis, and dysphagia from prolonged severe deficiency affecting epithelial tissues.
4. Which laboratory finding is most consistent with iron deficiency anemia?
A. Elevated ferritin
B. Decreased serum iron and increased total iron-binding capacity (TIBC)
C. Elevated vitamin B12
D. Normal mean corpuscular volume (MCV)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Iron deficiency anemia shows low serum iron, high TIBC, low ferritin, and low
MCV (microcytic). Ferritin reflects iron stores and is decreased.
,5. The most common cause of iron deficiency anemia in adults is:
A. Inadequate dietary intake
B. Chronic blood loss
C. Malabsorption syndromes
D. Increased iron requirements
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Chronic blood loss (GI bleeding, menorrhagia) is the most common cause in
adults. Dietary deficiency is more common in children and pregnant women.
6. A pregnant patient at 28 weeks gestation has a hemoglobin of 10.2 g/dL. The nurse
recognizes this as:
A. Normal physiological anemia of pregnancy
B. Iron deficiency anemia requiring supplementation
C. Hemolytic anemia
D. Thalassemia trait
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Although hemodilution occurs in pregnancy, hemoglobin below 11 g/dL in the
second trimester indicates iron deficiency anemia requiring supplementation.
7. Which dietary instruction should the nurse provide to enhance iron absorption?
A. Take iron with dairy products
B. Take iron with orange juice or vitamin C
C. Take iron with high-fiber foods
D. Take iron with calcium supplements
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Vitamin C enhances non-heme iron absorption. Dairy, calcium, and high-fiber
foods inhibit iron absorption and should be taken separately.
8. A child with iron deficiency anemia may exhibit which behavioral finding?
A. Hyperactivity
B. Pica
C. Aggression
D. Excessive sleepiness
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pica (craving for non-food items like ice, dirt, or clay) is a classic behavioral
manifestation of iron deficiency, especially in children.
, 9. Which population is at highest risk for iron deficiency anemia?
A. Adolescent males
B. Postmenopausal women
C. Toddlers and premenopausal women
D. Elderly men
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Toddlers have rapid growth and limited diets; premenopausal women lose iron
through menstruation. Both groups have increased iron requirements.
10. The earliest laboratory change in iron deficiency is:
A. Decreased hemoglobin
B. Decreased serum ferritin
C. Decreased MCV
D. Increased TIBC
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ferritin drops first as iron stores are depleted. Hemoglobin and MCV decrease
later as iron deficiency progresses.
11. A patient with iron deficiency anemia reports fatigue and difficulty concentrating.
These symptoms are primarily due to:
A. Decreased oxygen-carrying capacity
B. Neurological damage
C. Vitamin deficiency
D. Bone marrow suppression
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Fatigue and cognitive symptoms result from decreased hemoglobin and
reduced oxygen delivery to tissues. Neurological symptoms are not typical of iron
deficiency.
12. Which medication should the nurse instruct a patient to avoid when taking oral iron
supplements?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Antacids containing calcium or magnesium
C. Aspirin
D. Ibuprofen
Correct Answer: B
