Deficiency Anemias

Question 1

What is the pathophysiology of iron deficiency anemia?

Answer 1

Insufficient iron leads to decreased hemoglobin synthesis and microcytic hypochromic red blood cells.

Question 2

What are the clinical features of iron deficiency anemia?

Answer 2

Fatigue pallor koilonychia (spoon-shaped nails) glossitis.

Question 3

What are the diagnostic markers for iron deficiency anemia?

Answer 3

Low serum iron ferritin and transferrin saturation high total iron-binding capacity (TIBC).

Question 4

How is iron deficiency anemia treated?

Answer 4

Oral iron supplements investigate and treat underlying cause.

Question 5

What distinguishes vitamin B12 deficiency anemia from other types?

Answer 5

It causes macrocytic (large) red blood cells due to impaired DNA synthesis.

Question 6

What neurological symptoms might accompany vitamin B12 deficiency anemia?

Answer 6

Paresthesias ataxia.

Question 7

What is the diagnostic approach for vitamin B12 deficiency anemia?

Answer 7

Low serum vitamin B12 levels elevated methylmalonic acid and homocysteine.

Question 8

How is vitamin B12 deficiency anemia treated?

Answer 8

Vitamin B12 injections or high-dose oral supplements identify and treat the cause.

Question 9

How does folate deficiency anemia differ from vitamin B12 deficiency?

Answer 9

It also causes macrocytic red blood cells but lacks neurological symptoms.

Question 10

What are the clinical features of folate deficiency anemia?

Answer 10

Anemia glossitis.

Question 11

What diagnostic marker is indicative of folate deficiency anemia?

Answer 11

Low serum folate levels.

Question 12

What is the treatment for folate deficiency anemia?

Answer 12

Oral folate supplementation investigate and correct dietary insufficiency.

Question 13

What characterizes blood loss anemia?

Answer 13

Acute loss of circulating blood volume and oxygen-carrying capacity.

Question 14

What are the clinical signs of blood loss anemia?

Answer 14

Hypotension tachycardia pallor.

Question 15

How is blood loss anemia diagnosed?

Answer 15

Decreased hemoglobin and hematocrit levels assessment of bleeding source.

Question 16

What initial treatment is essential for blood loss anemia?

Answer 16

Fluid resuscitation.

Question 17

What is the main difference in red blood cell morphology between iron deficiency anemia and vitamin B12/folate deficiency anemia?

Answer 17

Iron deficiency causes microcytic hypochromic cells B12/folate deficiency causes macrocytic cells.

Question 18

Which anemia type is associated with koilonychia?

Answer 18

Iron deficiency anemia.

Question 19

What is the neurological complication seen only in vitamin B12 deficiency anemia?

Answer 19

Peripheral neuropathy.

Question 20

What marker distinguishes between iron deficiency anemia and anemia of chronic disease?

Answer 20

Ferritin levels (low in iron deficiency high in chronic disease).

Question 21

What are the genetic risk factors for developing iron deficiency anemia?

Answer 21

Thalassemias hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia.

Question 22

What is the specific dietary intake that can cause folate deficiency anemia?

Answer 22

Low intake of green leafy vegetables and fruits.

Question 23

What is the first-line investigation for suspected iron deficiency anemia?

Answer 23

Serum ferritin level.

Question 24

Which anemia type is associated with megaloblastic changes in bone marrow?

Answer 24

Vitamin B12 and folate deficiency anemias.

Question 25

What is the mechanism of action of oral iron supplements in treating iron deficiency anemia?

Answer 25

They replenish iron stores and facilitate hemoglobin synthesis.

Question 26

What is the term for the pallor seen in iron deficiency anemia?

Answer 26

Conjunctival pallor.

Question 27

What type of anemia is characterized by an elevated total iron-binding capacity (TIBC)?

Answer 27

Iron deficiency anemia.

Question 28

What is the most common cause of vitamin B12 deficiency anemia?

Answer 28

Pernicious anemia (autoimmune gastritis).

Question 29

What laboratory finding supports the diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency anemia even before anemia develops?

Answer 29

Elevated methylmalonic acid levels.

Question 30

What is the primary source of vitamin B12 in the diet?

Answer 30

Animal products (meat, dairy).

Question 31

Which anemia type requires intrinsic factor for absorption of the essential nutrient involved?

Answer 31

Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia.

Question 32

What is the primary cause of folate deficiency anemia in developed countries?

Answer 32

Alcoholism.

Question 33

What is the treatment for blood loss anemia if volume replacement alone is insufficient?

Answer 33

Blood transfusion.

Question 34

What is the characteristic peripheral blood smear finding in iron deficiency anemia?

Answer 34

Microcytosis and hypochromia.

Question 35

Which vitamin is required for the conversion of homocysteine to methionine?

Answer 35

Vitamin B12.

Question 36

What is the major difference in treatment approach between iron deficiency anemia and anemia of chronic disease?

Answer 36

Iron supplementation is effective in iron deficiency; underlying disease treatment is crucial in anemia of chronic disease.

Question 37

What is the term for the loss of tongue papillae seen in vitamin B12 and folate deficiency anemias?

Answer 37

Glossitis.

Question 38

What is the primary storage form of iron in the body?

Answer 38

Ferritin.

Question 39

What is the term for the neurological damage caused by severe vitamin B12 deficiency?

Answer 39

Subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord.

Question 40

What is the major risk factor for developing iron deficiency anemia in women of reproductive age?

Answer 40

Menstrual blood loss.

Question 41

What is the primary cause of iron deficiency anemia in men and postmenopausal women?

Answer 41

Gastrointestinal bleeding (e.g., from peptic ulcers).

Question 42

What is the term for the lab test that reflects the body's iron stores?

Answer 42

Serum ferritin.

Question 43

What is the term for the abnormal craving for non-nutritive substances such as ice or clay

Answer 43

seen in iron deficiency anemia?

Question 44

What is the most common cause of folate deficiency anemia worldwide?

Answer 44

Poor dietary intake.

Question 45

What is the term for the impaired absorption of vitamin B12 due to lack of intrinsic factor?

Answer 45

Pernicious anemia.

Question 46

What is the mechanism by which chronic diseases lead to anemia?

Answer 46

Inflammatory cytokines suppress erythropoiesis and shorten red blood cell survival.

Question 47

What is the term for the RBCs that are smaller and paler than normal

Answer 47

seen in iron deficiency anemia?

Question 48

What is the mechanism of action of vitamin B12 in red blood cell production?

Answer 48

It is a cofactor for the conversion of homocysteine to methionine.

Question 49

What is the term for the precursor to vitamin B12 which is not active in humans but is found in certain foods?

Answer 49

Cobalamin.

Question 50

What is the term for the premature breakdown of red blood cells?

Answer 50

Hemolysis.

Question 51

What is the term for the hereditary condition characterized by abnormal hemoglobin synthesis and increased red blood cell destruction leading to chronic hemolytic anemia?

Answer 51

Thalassemia.

Question 52

What is the term for the enlarged spleen seen in some cases of chronic blood loss anemia?

Answer 52

Splenomegaly.

Question 53

What is the term for the condition where there is an overproduction of red blood cells in response to chronic hypoxia or certain tumors?

Answer 53

Polycythemia.

Question 54

What is the term for the condition where there is an overproduction of red blood cells in response to chronic hypoxia or certain tumors?

Answer 54

Polycythemia.

Question 55

What is the term for the inherited disorder characterized by abnormal hemoglobin that polymerizes in low-oxygen conditions

Answer 55

leading to hemolysis and anemia?