, NR 507 Final Exam: Normocytic Anemias &
Hemoglobinopathies Study Guide – 200+ Practice
Questions with Verified Answers & Detailed
Rationales | Chamberlain University | 2026/2027
Update | Advanced Pathophysiology | Graded A+
| Instant Download
1. Anemia is best defined as:
A. An increase in red blood cell production
B. A condition in which the blood is deficient in red blood cells, hemoglobin, or total
volume
C. An excess of iron in the bloodstream
D. A genetic mutation affecting white blood cells
Answer: B
Rationale: Anemia is a condition marked by a decrease in red blood cells (RBC), the
proportion of hemoglobin, or the collective volume of packed RBCs (hematocrit) .
2. Hematopoiesis in the adult occurs primarily in the:
A. Liver
B. Spleen
C. Bone marrow
D. Lymph nodes
Answer: C
Rationale: Hematopoiesis (blood cell formation) occurs in the liver and spleen during
fetal development but shifts to the bone marrow in adults .
3. The primary function of red blood cells is to:
A. Fight infection
B. Carry oxygen from the lungs to body tissues and carbon dioxide as a waste product
,back to the lungs
C. Produce antibodies
D. Regulate blood clotting
Answer: B
Rationale: The main function of RBCs is to carry oxygen from the lungs to the body
tissues and carbon dioxide as a waste product from the body tissues to the lungs .
4. Which of the following are clinical characteristics of anemia? (Select all that
apply)
A. Tachycardia
B. Pallor
C. Dyspnea
D. Fatigue
Answer: A, B, C, D
Rationale: The four clinical characteristics of anemia are tachycardia (due to
hypoxemia), pallor, dyspnea, and fatigue
5. Anemia can be caused by: (Select all that apply)
A. Excessive blood loss
B. Impaired RBC production
C. Increased RBC destruction
D. Decreased plasma volume
Answer: A, B, C
Rationale: Anemia results from three primary mechanisms: excessive blood loss,
impaired RBC production, and increased RBC destruction .
6. Normocytic anemia is characterized by a mean corpuscular volume (MCV) in
what range?
A. Less than 80 fL
B. 80-99 fL
, C. Greater than 100 fL
D. 50-70 fL
Answer: B
Rationale: Normocytic anemias have a mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of 80-99 fL.
Microcytic anemias have MCV <80 fL; macrocytic have MCV >100 fL .
7. Which of the following is classified as a normocytic anemia?
A. Iron-deficiency anemia
B. Anemia of chronic disease
C. Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia
D. Folate deficiency anemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Anemia of chronic disease is a normocytic anemia. Iron-deficiency is
microcytic; vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies cause macrocytic anemia .
8. Common symptoms of anemia include: (Select all that apply)
A. Pallor
B. Dyspnea
C. Fatigue
D. Dizziness
Answer: A, B, C, D
Rationale: Common symptoms include pallor, dyspnea, fatigue, and dizziness, often
with headaches. These result from decreased oxygen delivery to tissues .
9. The first step in evaluating a normocytic anemia is obtaining a:
A. Iron panel
B. Reticulocyte count
C. Bone marrow biopsy
D. Vitamin B12 level
Hemoglobinopathies Study Guide – 200+ Practice
Questions with Verified Answers & Detailed
Rationales | Chamberlain University | 2026/2027
Update | Advanced Pathophysiology | Graded A+
| Instant Download
1. Anemia is best defined as:
A. An increase in red blood cell production
B. A condition in which the blood is deficient in red blood cells, hemoglobin, or total
volume
C. An excess of iron in the bloodstream
D. A genetic mutation affecting white blood cells
Answer: B
Rationale: Anemia is a condition marked by a decrease in red blood cells (RBC), the
proportion of hemoglobin, or the collective volume of packed RBCs (hematocrit) .
2. Hematopoiesis in the adult occurs primarily in the:
A. Liver
B. Spleen
C. Bone marrow
D. Lymph nodes
Answer: C
Rationale: Hematopoiesis (blood cell formation) occurs in the liver and spleen during
fetal development but shifts to the bone marrow in adults .
3. The primary function of red blood cells is to:
A. Fight infection
B. Carry oxygen from the lungs to body tissues and carbon dioxide as a waste product
,back to the lungs
C. Produce antibodies
D. Regulate blood clotting
Answer: B
Rationale: The main function of RBCs is to carry oxygen from the lungs to the body
tissues and carbon dioxide as a waste product from the body tissues to the lungs .
4. Which of the following are clinical characteristics of anemia? (Select all that
apply)
A. Tachycardia
B. Pallor
C. Dyspnea
D. Fatigue
Answer: A, B, C, D
Rationale: The four clinical characteristics of anemia are tachycardia (due to
hypoxemia), pallor, dyspnea, and fatigue
5. Anemia can be caused by: (Select all that apply)
A. Excessive blood loss
B. Impaired RBC production
C. Increased RBC destruction
D. Decreased plasma volume
Answer: A, B, C
Rationale: Anemia results from three primary mechanisms: excessive blood loss,
impaired RBC production, and increased RBC destruction .
6. Normocytic anemia is characterized by a mean corpuscular volume (MCV) in
what range?
A. Less than 80 fL
B. 80-99 fL
, C. Greater than 100 fL
D. 50-70 fL
Answer: B
Rationale: Normocytic anemias have a mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of 80-99 fL.
Microcytic anemias have MCV <80 fL; macrocytic have MCV >100 fL .
7. Which of the following is classified as a normocytic anemia?
A. Iron-deficiency anemia
B. Anemia of chronic disease
C. Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia
D. Folate deficiency anemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Anemia of chronic disease is a normocytic anemia. Iron-deficiency is
microcytic; vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies cause macrocytic anemia .
8. Common symptoms of anemia include: (Select all that apply)
A. Pallor
B. Dyspnea
C. Fatigue
D. Dizziness
Answer: A, B, C, D
Rationale: Common symptoms include pallor, dyspnea, fatigue, and dizziness, often
with headaches. These result from decreased oxygen delivery to tissues .
9. The first step in evaluating a normocytic anemia is obtaining a:
A. Iron panel
B. Reticulocyte count
C. Bone marrow biopsy
D. Vitamin B12 level
