Answers: 

A. “be used as source of reserve cells for the entire blood production system.” 

B. “help treat some cancers and anemias, but they must come from your child himself or herself.” 

C. “be used to regenerate damaged organs should the need ever arise.” 

D. “help correct autoimmune diseases and some congenital defects.” 

Question 47 A surgeon is explaining to the parents of a 6-year-old boy the rationale for the suggestion of removing the boy’s spleen. Which of the following teaching points would be most accurate? 

Answers: 

A. “Ferritin is a protein–iron complex that allows your red blood cells to make use of the iron that you consume in your diet.” 

B. “Ferritin is the activated and usable form of iron that your red blood cells can use to transport oxygen.” 

C. “Ferritin is the form of iron that is transported in your blood plasma to red blood cells that need it.” 

D. “Ferritin is a stored form of iron that indirectly shows me whether you would benefit from iron pills.” 

Question 48 

A 13-year-old African American boy comes to the ER complaining of fatigue and a rapid heartbeat. In conversation with the father, it becomes apparent to you that the boy has grown 2 inches in the previous 5 months. What is the first problem the health care team would attempt to rule out? 

Answers: 

A. Aplastic anemia 

B. Sickle cell anemia 

C. Thalassemia 

D. Iron deficiency anemia 

Question 49 

In which of the following patients, would diagnostic investigations least likely reveal increased thrombopoietin production? 

Answers: 

A. A 55-year-old man with dehydration secondary to Crohn disease 

B. An 81-year-old woman with diagnoses of rheumatoid arthritis and failure to thrive 

C. A 66-year-old woman with a diagnosis of lung cancer with bone metastases 

D. A 21-year-old woman awaiting bone marrow transplant for myelogenous leukemia 

Question 50 

A hospital laboratory technologist is analyzing the complete blood count (CBC) of a patient. Which of the following statements best reflects an aspect of the platelets that would constitute part of the CBC? 

Answers: 

A. New platelets are released from the bone marrow into circulation. 

B. The half-life of a platelet is typically around 8 to 12 days. 

C. Platelets originate with granulocyte colony–forming units (CFU). 

D. The α-granules of platelets contribute primarily to vasoconstriction.