Physiology II Actual Exam 2026/2027 – Complete Test Bank with
Detailed Rationales | 100% Verified | Pass Guaranteed – A+
Graded
Section A: Blood Composition & Hematopoiesis
Q1: A patient's CBC shows a hematocrit of 41%. Which formed element contributes
most to this value, and what is its primary function?
A. Leukocytes; immune defense
B. Erythrocytes; oxygen transport via hemoglobin [CORRECT]
C. Platelets; hemostasis
D. Plasma proteins; oncotic pressure
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hematocrit measures the percentage of blood volume occupied by
erythrocytes, which transport O₂ via hemoglobin; leukocytes and platelets are formed
elements but contribute negligibly to packed cell volume, and plasma proteins are not
formed elements at all.
Q2: A 2-year-old with chronic kidney disease has fatigue and pale conjunctivae;
hemoglobin is low. Which hormone deficiency most directly explains the anemia?
A. Thrombopoietin from the liver
B. Erythropoietin from the kidneys [CORRECT]
C. Intrinsic factor from the stomach
D. Hemopoietic growth factor CSF from bone marrow stroma
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The kidneys produce ~90% of erythropoietin, which stimulates red marrow
erythropoiesis, so renal failure causes normocytic anemia; thrombopoietin drives
platelet production, intrinsic factor relates to B12 absorption, and stromal factors are
not the primary deficit.
, Q3: A peripheral smear shows a cell with a large, indented (kidney-shaped) nucleus,
abundant gray-blue cytoplasm, and visible vacuoles. Which leukocyte is this, and what is
its primary role?
A. Neutrophil; phagocytosis of bacteria
B. Monocyte; differentiates into macrophage for phagocytosis and antigen presentation
[CORRECT]
C. Eosinophil; defense against helminths
D. Basophil; histamine release
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A kidney-shaped nucleus with gray-blue vacuolated cytoplasm identifies a
monocyte, which enters tissues and becomes a macrophage; neutrophils have
multilobed nuclei, eosinophils have bilobed nuclei with red granules, and basophils have
obscured lobed nuclei with dark granules.
Q4: A patient with aplastic anemia has pancytopenia. Which statement best explains
why red marrow throughout the skeleton normally produces all formed elements?
A. All formed elements derive from pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells in red marrow
[CORRECT]
B. Each formed element is produced by a separate, unipotent stem cell
C. Formed elements are made in the liver after birth
D. Yellow marrow converts to red marrow in adults and produces all cell types
independently
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hematopoiesis in postnatal red marrow originates from self-renewing
pluripotent (hematopoietic) stem cells that differentiate into all myeloid and lymphoid
lines; the liver is the fetal site, and yellow marrow is largely inactive in adults.
Q5: A patient's blood is spun in a centrifuge: plasma = 55%, buffy coat < 1%, packed
cells = 45%. Which component of the 55% fraction is most abundant by weight?
A. Fibrinogen
B. Albumin [CORRECT]
C. Globulins
D. Electrolytes
Correct Answer: B