NR 283 Quiz 3 Concepts (Latest 2025–2026)
Questions and Answers (Verified Answers)
Section 1: Blood & Hematologic Disorders
1. What is the primary function of an erythrocyte (Red Blood Cell)?
Answer: The primary function of an erythrocyte is to transport oxygen
from the lungs to the tissues and to carry a small amount of carbon
dioxide back from the tissues to the lungs. This is facilitated by the
hemoglobin protein within the RBC.
2. Define "Anemia" in pathological terms.
Answer: Anemia is a condition characterized by a deficiency in the
number of erythrocytes (RBCs) or in the quantity or quality of
hemoglobin, resulting in a reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of the
blood.
3. Compare and contrast Microcytic Hypochromic anemia and
Macrocytic anemia, including one cause for each.
Answer:
• Microcytic Hypochromic: Characterized by small (microcytic)
and pale (hypochromic) RBCs due to inadequate hemoglobin
synthesis. A common cause is Iron Deficiency Anemia.
• Macrocytic (Megaloblastic): Characterized by large (macrocytic)
RBCs with a short lifespan due to impaired DNA synthesis. A
common cause is Vitamin B12 or Folic Acid Deficiency.
4. What is the fundamental defect in Sickle Cell Anemia?
Answer: It is a genetic disorder caused by a single amino acid
substitution (valine for glutamic acid) in the beta chain of the
hemoglobin molecule (HbS). When deoxygenated, HbS polymerizes,
,causing the RBC to deform into a sickle shape, leading to hemolysis and
vascular occlusion.
5. Explain why a patient with Pernicious Anemia cannot absorb
Vitamin B12.
Answer: Pernicious Anemia is caused by a deficiency of Intrinsic
Factor (IF), a glycoprotein secreted by the gastric parietal cells.
Intrinsic Factor is essential for the absorption of dietary Vitamin B12 in
the ileum. Without it, B12 cannot be absorbed.
6. What is the most common cause of Aplastic Anemia?
Answer: Idiopathic (unknown cause) is most common. However, it can
be acquired due to exposure to myelotoxic agents such as certain
chemicals (e.g., benzene), radiation, or drugs (e.g., chemotherapeutic
agents).
7. Define "Leukocytosis" and "Leukopenia".
Answer:
• Leukocytosis: An abnormal increase in the total number of white
blood cells (WBCs) in the blood, often due to infection or
inflammation.
• Leukopenia: An abnormal decrease in the total number of white
blood cells (WBCs) in the blood, increasing the risk of infection.
8. What is the key difference between a malignant and a benign
white blood cell disorder?
Answer: Malignant disorders (e.g., leukemias, lymphomas) involve
uncontrolled, clonal proliferation of hematopoietic cells that can
metastasize and are often fatal without treatment. Benign disorders are
typically reactive (e.g., leukocytosis from infection) and resolve when
the underlying cause is treated.
, 9. Describe the pathophysiologic difference between Acute
Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) and Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia
(CML).
Answer:
• ALL: Involves the uncontrolled proliferation of
immature lymphoblasts (precursors to lymphocytes). It has an
acute onset and is most common in children.
• CML: Involves the uncontrolled proliferation of relatively
mature myeloid cells (e.g., granulocytes). It has a more insidious
onset and is associated with the Philadelphia chromosome, a
specific genetic translocation (t(9;22)).
10. What is the "Philadelphia Chromosome"?
Answer: It is a specific genetic abnormality resulting from a reciprocal
translocation between chromosomes 9 and 22 (t(9;22)). This creates
the BCR-ABL fusion gene, which produces a constitutively active
tyrosine kinase that drives uncontrolled cell proliferation, a hallmark of
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML).
11. Differentiate between Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin's
Lymphoma (NHL) based on a key histological feature.
Answer: The key distinguishing feature is the presence of Reed-
Sternberg cells, which are large, abnormal lymphocytes, found in
Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma lacks these cells.
12. What is the primary pathological problem in Multiple Myeloma?
Answer: Multiple Myeloma is a malignant neoplasm of plasma cells
(mature B-cells) that proliferate in the bone marrow. These cells produce
large amounts of a single, non-functional immunoglobulin (monoclonal
antibody or M protein), leading to bone destruction, renal failure, and
impaired immunity.
Questions and Answers (Verified Answers)
Section 1: Blood & Hematologic Disorders
1. What is the primary function of an erythrocyte (Red Blood Cell)?
Answer: The primary function of an erythrocyte is to transport oxygen
from the lungs to the tissues and to carry a small amount of carbon
dioxide back from the tissues to the lungs. This is facilitated by the
hemoglobin protein within the RBC.
2. Define "Anemia" in pathological terms.
Answer: Anemia is a condition characterized by a deficiency in the
number of erythrocytes (RBCs) or in the quantity or quality of
hemoglobin, resulting in a reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of the
blood.
3. Compare and contrast Microcytic Hypochromic anemia and
Macrocytic anemia, including one cause for each.
Answer:
• Microcytic Hypochromic: Characterized by small (microcytic)
and pale (hypochromic) RBCs due to inadequate hemoglobin
synthesis. A common cause is Iron Deficiency Anemia.
• Macrocytic (Megaloblastic): Characterized by large (macrocytic)
RBCs with a short lifespan due to impaired DNA synthesis. A
common cause is Vitamin B12 or Folic Acid Deficiency.
4. What is the fundamental defect in Sickle Cell Anemia?
Answer: It is a genetic disorder caused by a single amino acid
substitution (valine for glutamic acid) in the beta chain of the
hemoglobin molecule (HbS). When deoxygenated, HbS polymerizes,
,causing the RBC to deform into a sickle shape, leading to hemolysis and
vascular occlusion.
5. Explain why a patient with Pernicious Anemia cannot absorb
Vitamin B12.
Answer: Pernicious Anemia is caused by a deficiency of Intrinsic
Factor (IF), a glycoprotein secreted by the gastric parietal cells.
Intrinsic Factor is essential for the absorption of dietary Vitamin B12 in
the ileum. Without it, B12 cannot be absorbed.
6. What is the most common cause of Aplastic Anemia?
Answer: Idiopathic (unknown cause) is most common. However, it can
be acquired due to exposure to myelotoxic agents such as certain
chemicals (e.g., benzene), radiation, or drugs (e.g., chemotherapeutic
agents).
7. Define "Leukocytosis" and "Leukopenia".
Answer:
• Leukocytosis: An abnormal increase in the total number of white
blood cells (WBCs) in the blood, often due to infection or
inflammation.
• Leukopenia: An abnormal decrease in the total number of white
blood cells (WBCs) in the blood, increasing the risk of infection.
8. What is the key difference between a malignant and a benign
white blood cell disorder?
Answer: Malignant disorders (e.g., leukemias, lymphomas) involve
uncontrolled, clonal proliferation of hematopoietic cells that can
metastasize and are often fatal without treatment. Benign disorders are
typically reactive (e.g., leukocytosis from infection) and resolve when
the underlying cause is treated.
, 9. Describe the pathophysiologic difference between Acute
Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) and Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia
(CML).
Answer:
• ALL: Involves the uncontrolled proliferation of
immature lymphoblasts (precursors to lymphocytes). It has an
acute onset and is most common in children.
• CML: Involves the uncontrolled proliferation of relatively
mature myeloid cells (e.g., granulocytes). It has a more insidious
onset and is associated with the Philadelphia chromosome, a
specific genetic translocation (t(9;22)).
10. What is the "Philadelphia Chromosome"?
Answer: It is a specific genetic abnormality resulting from a reciprocal
translocation between chromosomes 9 and 22 (t(9;22)). This creates
the BCR-ABL fusion gene, which produces a constitutively active
tyrosine kinase that drives uncontrolled cell proliferation, a hallmark of
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML).
11. Differentiate between Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin's
Lymphoma (NHL) based on a key histological feature.
Answer: The key distinguishing feature is the presence of Reed-
Sternberg cells, which are large, abnormal lymphocytes, found in
Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma lacks these cells.
12. What is the primary pathological problem in Multiple Myeloma?
Answer: Multiple Myeloma is a malignant neoplasm of plasma cells
(mature B-cells) that proliferate in the bone marrow. These cells produce
large amounts of a single, non-functional immunoglobulin (monoclonal
antibody or M protein), leading to bone destruction, renal failure, and
impaired immunity.
