Anemia Overview: Causes, Symptoms, and Epidemiology

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What is the primary purpose of a reticulocyte count?

To measure the level of folic acid in the blood

To diagnose hypothyroidism

To determine if the body is producing enough vitamin B12

To check if the bone marrow is producing the right amount of red blood cells (correct)

Which of the following conditions is characterized by a positive Coombs test?

Hypothyroidism

Megaloblastic anemia

Iron deficiency anemia

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (correct)

What is the significance of a low serum ferritin level?

It rules out iron deficiency

It confirms iron deficiency (correct)

It suggests anemia of chronic disease

It indicates hypothyroidism

Which of the following is a characteristic of iron deficiency anemia?

Microcytic anemia Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of a high LDH level in the blood?

It indicates hemolysis or tissue damage Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a common cause of anemia in women of childbearing age?

Iron deficiency Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a comprehensive chemistry profile in the evaluation of anemia?

To identify underlying causes of anemia Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of autoimmune hemolytic anemia?

Shortened red blood cell survival Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of a low haptoglobin level?

It indicates hemolysis Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a common finding in patients with hypothyroidism?

Decreased production of red blood cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the initial approach to treating iron deficiency anemia?

Oral iron therapy every other day Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal when switching from oral to IV iron therapy in iron deficiency anemia?

To make up for the lost amount of iron Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a component of healthy clotting?

Von Willebrand Factor Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the formation of a clot in an unbroken vessel?

Thrombus Signup and view all the answers

What is the laboratory test that can indicate the presence of a clot somewhere in the body?

D-Dimer Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following disorders can predispose to bleeding?

Iron deficiency anemia Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the condition of having elevated platelet levels?

Thrombocytosis Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of Polycythemia Vera that leads to hyperviscosity?

Increased total blood contents Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a cause of hypercoagulability?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the laboratory test that assesses platelet function?

PFA Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of hemoglobin inside red blood cells?

To carry oxygen from the lungs to tissues and organs Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a risk factor for anemia?

Having a healthy immune system Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate proportion of the world's population affected by anemia?

30% Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary site of blood production in adults?

The bone marrow Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common type of white blood cell?

Neutrophil Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a consequence of anemia?

Decreased ability to remove CO2 from tissues Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary diagnostic test for iron overload?

Liver biopsy Signup and view all the answers

What is the hepatic iron index used to diagnose?

Homozygous hemochromatosis Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following bacteria is not associated with infections in patients with hemochromatosis?

Staphylococcus aureus Signup and view all the answers

What is the estimated percentage of affected males that develop cirrhosis?

10% Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic radiologic finding in the MCP joints of patients with hemochromatosis?

Hook-like osteophytes Signup and view all the answers

What is the treatment for dilated cardiomyopathy in patients with hemochromatosis?

Phlebotomy Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common endocrine abnormality in patients with hemochromatosis?

Hypogonadism Signup and view all the answers

What is the goal of phlebotomy treatment in patients with hemochromatosis?

Maintain ferritin levels at 3 Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended dose of morphine for pain management in patients with hemochromatosis?

5-10mg IV Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of transfusion in patients with hemochromatosis?

Increase oxygenation Signup and view all the answers

What is the percentage of RBCs in the blood that Hematocrit (Hct) measures?

The percentage of RBCs in your blood Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the measurement of the Red Blood Cell Volume?

Mean Corpuscular Volume Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between a decrease in RDW and a normal RDW?

A decrease in RDW indicates very little variation in size of RBC, while a normal RDW indicates variation in size of RBC Signup and view all the answers

What is the MCV range for microcytic anemia?

MCV < 100 Signup and view all the answers

What is the additional category of macrocytic anemia besides MCV > 110?

Megaloblastic Signup and view all the answers

What is the cause of megaloblastic anemia due to cells sticking together and being read as one by the machine?

Spurious Megaloblastic anemia Signup and view all the answers

What is the treatment for B12 deficiency in patients with intrinsic factor deficiency?

IM injection of B12 for life Signup and view all the answers

What is the test used to differentiate between B12 and folate deficiencies?

Methylmalonic acid (MMA) levels and homocysteine levels Signup and view all the answers

What is the diagnostic value of ferritin levels?

A proxy for storage of iron in the body Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of transferrin saturation levels less than 20%?

Iron deficiency Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of therapeutic phlebotomy in the treatment of Polycythemia Vera?

Achieving hemoglobin levels within normal range Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a major criterion for the diagnosis of Polycythemia Vera?

Serum EPO level below normal Signup and view all the answers

What is the underlying mechanism of Factor V Leiden mutation that leads to hypercoagulability?

Resistance of Factor V to inactivation by Protein C Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a common inherited cause of hypercoagulability that results from a single point mutation?

Factor V Leiden mutation Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of sleep apnea on hematopoiesis?

Increased production of red blood cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of daily aspirin in the treatment of Polycythemia Vera?

Reducing platelet activity Signup and view all the answers

What is the risk of first VTE for compound heterozygotes with FVL and G20210A?

20 Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of Protein C in the coagulation cascade?

Inactivate Factor V and Factor VIII Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common type of Protein C deficiency?

Type 1: reduced protein C Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Wells Score in diagnosing DVT?

To determine the probability of DVT Signup and view all the answers

What is the treatment for acute proximal DVT?

Three months of continuous anticoagulation Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the PERC rule in diagnosing PE?

To determine the probability of PE in low-risk patients Signup and view all the answers

What is the testing of choice for diagnosing PE?

CTA with PE protocol Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of a massive PE?

Hemodynamic instability, generally hypotension/shock Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of obtaining troponin values in patients with PE?

To categorize PE into low-risk, submassive, or massive Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of a superficial thrombosis in the context of DVT?

Treatment depends on multiple factors and is not always required Signup and view all the answers

What is a recommended treatment duration for low-risk Pulmonary Embolism?

3-6 months Signup and view all the answers

When is it recommended to consider testing for thrombophilias?

Only when it will change the treatment plan Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of IVC Filters?

To catch a clot trying to travel to the lungs from the lower extremities Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical treatment duration for an unprovoked Pulmonary Embolism?

Long-term anticoagulation Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the condition caused by antibodies that form to heparin-platelet complex?

Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended method of prophylaxis in patients with a high risk of VTE?

Pharmacologic and mechanical prophylaxis Signup and view all the answers

What is the diagnosis of VITT based on?

All 5 criteria: COVID vaccine, thrombosis, thrombocytopenia, PF4-ELISA, and imaging Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended treatment for confirmed VITT?

Initiate therapy with non-heparin anticoagulation Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the disorder characterized by decreased platelets and bleeding?

Thrombocytopenia Signup and view all the answers

What is a condition that can raise ferritin levels?