ASCP MLS Haematology Exam with Questions and Answers

ASCP MLS Haematology Exam with Questions and Answers Iron deficiency anemia is characterized by: A. Decreased plasma iron, decreased % saturation, increased total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) B. Decreased plasma iron, decreased plasma ferritin, normal RBC porphyrin C. Decreased plasma iron, decreased % saturation, decreased TIBC D. Decreased plasma iron, increased % saturation, decreased TIBC ANSWER A. Iron deficiency anemia is characterized by decreased plasma iron, increased TIBC, decreased % saturation, and microcytic, hypochromic anemia. Iron deficiency occurs in three phases: iron depletion, iron-deficient erythropoiesis, and iron deficiency anemia. Storage iron is usually best determined by: A. Serum transferrin levels B. Hgb values C. Myoglobin values D. Serum ferritin levels ANSWER D. Ferritin enters the serum from all ferritin-producing tissues, and therefore is considered to be a good indicator of body storage iron. Because iron stores must be depleted before anemia develops, low serum ferritin levels precede the fall in serum iron associated with iron deficiency anemia. All of the following are associated with sideroblastic anemia except: A. Increased serum iron B. Ringed sideroblasts C. Dimorphic blood picture D. Increased RBC protoporphyrin ANSWER D. Sideroblastic anemia has a decreased red cell protoporphyrin. The defect in sideroblastic anemia involves ineffective erythropoiesis. The failure to produce RBC protoporphyrin occurs because the nonheme iron is trapped in the mitochondria and is unavailable to be recycled.