AACC Hematology & Coagulation 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the normal reference range for hemoglobin in adult males?
- 10.0–12.5 g/dL
- 13.5–17.5 g/dL (Correct answer)
- 18.0–21.0 g/dL
- 8.0–10.0 g/dL
Correct answer: 13.5–17.5 g/dL
The normal hemoglobin range for adult males is 13.5–17.5 g/dL, reflecting their higher red cell mass compared to females.
Question 2: Which hematologic parameter directly measures the average volume of individual red blood cells?
- MCHC
- MCH
- MCV (Correct answer)
- RDW
Correct answer: MCV
Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) measures the average size of red blood cells in femtoliters (fL) and is used to classify anemias as microcytic, normocytic, or macrocytic.
Question 3: A patient's CBC reveals MCV of 70 fL, decreased serum ferritin, and elevated TIBC. Which condition is most consistent with these findings?
- Anemia of chronic disease
- Vitamin B12 deficiency
- Iron deficiency anemia (Correct answer)
- Hereditary spherocytosis
Correct answer: Iron deficiency anemia
Iron deficiency anemia presents with low MCV (microcytic), decreased ferritin (depleted iron stores), and elevated TIBC (increased iron-binding capacity due to low saturation).
Question 4: Which white blood cell type normally comprises the largest percentage of circulating leukocytes in a healthy adult?
- Lymphocytes
- Monocytes
- Eosinophils
- Neutrophils (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Neutrophils
Neutrophils account for 50–70% of circulating white blood cells and serve as the primary defense against bacterial infections.
Question 5: What is the primary function of platelets in the hemostatic process?
- Transporting oxygen to tissues
- Forming the initial platelet plug at sites of vascular injury (Correct answer)
- Producing clotting factors for secondary hemostasis
- Phagocytizing foreign antigens
Correct answer: Forming the initial platelet plug at sites of vascular injury
Platelets adhere to damaged subendothelial collagen, activate, and aggregate to form the primary platelet plug, initiating primary hemostasis.
Question 6: A reticulocyte count of 8% in a patient with hemolytic anemia indicates what about the bone marrow's response?
- Bone marrow failure
- Inadequate erythropoietic response
- Appropriate hyperproliferative response to red cell destruction (Correct answer)
- Iron deficiency limiting erythropoiesis
Correct answer: Appropriate hyperproliferative response to red cell destruction
An elevated reticulocyte count in hemolytic anemia reflects accelerated erythropoiesis as the bone marrow compensates for increased red cell destruction.
Question 7: Which of the following is the correct interpretation of a peripheral blood smear showing hypersegmented neutrophils and oval macrocytes?
- Iron deficiency anemia
- Thalassemia trait
- Megaloblastic anemia (Correct answer)
- Hereditary elliptocytosis
Correct answer: Megaloblastic anemia
Hypersegmented neutrophils (>5 lobes) and oval macrocytes on peripheral smear are hallmark findings of megaloblastic anemia, caused by vitamin B12 or folate deficiency impairing DNA synthesis.
