QuestionSBA
QuestionChoice
Iron deficiency anaemia would cause a microcytic anaemia, and would be associated with low ferritin and iron serum levels. Blood film would not show hypersegmented polymorphs, as this is a feature of pernicious anaemia.
10004867
b
Iron deficiency anaemia
QuestionChoice
Beta Thalassaemia is an inherited disorder which causes abnormal haemoglobin production. It typically causes a microcytic, not macrocytic anaemia. You would additionally expect to see a family history of beta thalassaemia, as it is inherited as an autosomal recessive pattern.
10004870
e
Beta Thalassaemia
QuestionChoice
Aplastic anaemia is a condition where the body stops producing enough new blood cells. It is characterised by anaemia, thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) and neutropenia (low neutrophil count). You would expect other symptom pointers in the question stem to hint at aplastic anaemia.
10004869
d
Aplastic anaemia
QuestionChoice
Pernicious anaemia is a deficiency in red blood cells caused by a lack of vitamin B12 in the blood. Pernicious anaemia is a macrocytic anaemia, and upon blood film investigation you would see hypersegmented polymorphs. Additionally, it is associated with other autoimmune diseases.
10004866
a
Pernicious anaemia
QuestionChoice
Anaemia of chronic disease can be caused by malignancy or chronic infections such as TB. The red cells in anaemia of chronic disease are initially of normocytic type, however, this can progress to a microcytic type. The question stem describes pernicious anaemia, a type of macrocytic anaemia.
10004868
c
Anaemia of chronic disease
Concept
Chapter
2693
4086
Pernicious anaemia
Topic
157
Haematology
13520
A 47-year-old woman presents to her GP with lethargy, pallor and a sore tongue. She additionally has type 1 diabetes mellitus.

A full blood count reveals a macrocytic anaemia with hypersegmented polymorphs on the blood film.
a