BOC Hematology Test Questions and Answers Graded A+
1) The light-colored zone adjacent to the nucleus in a b. production of RBCs
plasmacyte is the: c. synthesis of erythropoietin
a. ribosome d. removal of imperfect and aging cells -
b. chromatin ANSWER -d (Major site of destruction of
c. mitochondria senescent red blood cells.)
d. Golgi area - ANSWER -d (Morphological
identifiable perinuclear halo.)
14) After the removal of RBCs from the circulation
hemoglobin is broken down into:
3) The majority of the iron in an adult is found as a a. iron, prophyrin, amino acids
constituent of: b. iron, protoporphyrin, globin
a. hemoglobin c. heme, protoporphyrin, amino acids
b. hemosiderin d. heme, hemosiderin, globin - ANSWER -b
c. myoglobin (Normal degradation products of red blood cells.)
d. transferrin - ANSWER -a (2/3 iron in body
bound to Hgb.)
15) Heinz bodies are:
a. readily identified with polychrome stains
4) The main function of the hexose monophosphate b. rarely found in glucose-6-phosphate
shunt in the erythrocyte is to: dehydrogenase deficient erythrocytes
a. regulate the level of 2,3-DPG c. closely associated with spherocytes
b. provide reduced glutathione to prevent oxidation of d. denatured hemoglobin inclusion that are readily
hemoglobin removed by the spleen - ANSWER -d (Formed
c. prevent the reduction of heme iron with oxidization of Fe and formation of
d. provide energy for membrane maintenance - methemoglobin.)
ANSWER -b (Maintains in Fe++ form by way of
reduced glutathione.)
17) Cells for the transport of O2 and CO2 are:
a. erythrocytes
10) In order for hemoglobin to combine reversibly b. granulocytes
with oxygen, the iron must be: c. lymphocytes
a. complexed with haptoglobin d. thrombocytes - ANSWER -a (Primary
b. freely circulating in the cytoplasm functions of red blood cells.)
c. attached to transferrin
d. in the ferrous state - ANSWER -d (Functional
form of Fe [reduced].) 18) Erythropoietin acts as:
a. shorten the replication time of the granulocytes
b. stimulate RNA synthesis of erythroid cells
11) In which of the following disease states are c. increase colony-stimulating factors produced by
teardrop cells and abnormal platelets most the B-lymphs
characteristically seen? d. decrease the release of marrow reticulocytes -
a. hemolytic anemia ANSWER -b (Erythropoietin action.)
b. multiple myeloma
c. G-6-PD deficiency
d. myeloid metaplasia - ANSWER -d (RBC 19) What cell shape is most commonly associated
morphology; disease state identification.) with an increased MCHC?
a. teardrop cells
b. target cells
13) In the normal adult, the spleen acts as a site for: c. spherocytes
a. storage of RBCs
,BOC Hematology Test Questions and Answers Graded A+
d. sickle cells - ANSWER -c (May be referred to
as hyperchromic because of decreased MCHC.) 37) Patients with A(-) type G-6-PD deficiency are
least likely to have hemolytic episodes in which of the
following situations?
27) Which of the following characteristics are a. following the administration of oxidizing drugs
common to hereditary spherocytosis, hereditary b. following the ingestion of fava beans
elliptocytosis, hereditary stomatocytosis, and c. during infections
paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria? d. spontaneously - ANSWER -d (G-6-PD
a. autosomal dominant inheritance deficiency-hemolytic stimulus.)
b. red cell membrane defect
c. positive DAT
d. measured platelet count - ANSWER -b (RBC 38) A patient has a congenital nonspherocytic
membrane defects are common to PNH, HS, and hemolytic anemia. After exposure to anti-malarial
HE.) drugs the patient experiences a severe hemolytic
episode. This episode is characterized by red cell
inclusions caused by hemoglobin denaturation.
30) Which of the following is most closely associated Which of the following conditions is consistent with
with iron deficiency anemia? these findings?
a. iron overload in tissue a. G-6-PD deficiency
b. target cells b. thalassemia major
c. basophilic stippling c. pyruvate kinase deficiency
d. chronic blood loss - ANSWER -d (Chronic d. paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria -
blood loss frequently results in iron deficiency ANSWER -a (G-6-PD deficiency-anti-malarial
anemia.) drugs.)
32) Evidence indicates that the genetic defect in 40) Peripheral blood smears from patients with
thalassemia usually results in: untreated anemia are characterized by:
a. the production of abnormal globin chains a. pancytopenia and macrocytosis
b. a quantitative deficiency in RNA resulting in b. leukocytosis and elliptocytosis
decreased globin chain production c. leukocytosis and ovalocytes
c. a structural change in the heme portion of the d. pancytopenia and microcytosis - ANSWER -a
hemoglobin (Patients with pernicious anemia have fewer of all
d. an abnormality in the alpha- or beta- chain binding types of blood cells, but they are abnormally large.)
or affinity - ANSWER -b (Mechanism of genetic
abnormality in thalassemia reduces globin chain
production.) 41) Lab tests performed on a patient indicate
macrocytosis, anemia, leukopenia and
thrombocytopenia. Which of the following disorders is
36) An enzyme deficiency associated with a the patient most likely to have?
moderate to severe hemolytic anemia after the a. anemia of chronic disorder
patient is exposed to certain drugs and characterized b. vitamin B12 deficiency
by red cell inclusions formed by denatured c. iron deficiency
hemoglobin is: d. acute hemorrhage - ANSWER -b (Anemia
a. LD deficiency differentiation-vitamin B12 deficiency results in
b. G-6-PD deficiency pernicious anemia [pancytopenia, macrocytosis].)
c. pyruvate kinase deficiency
d. hexokinase deficiency - ANSWER -b (G-6-
PD deficiency.) 43) The characteristic morphologic feature in folic
acid deficiency is:
, BOC Hematology Test Questions and Answers Graded A+
a. macrocytosis d. polycythemia associated with renal disease -
b. target cells ANSWER -c (Polycythemia, in burn patient.)
c. basophilic stippling
d. rouleaux formation - ANSWER -a (Folate
deficiency-peripheral smear will show abnormally 54) Which of the following is most likely to be seen in
large RBCs.) lead poisoning?
a. iron overload in tissue
b. codocytes
45) The most likely cause of the macrocytosis that c. basophilic stippling
often accompanies anemia of myelofibrosis is: d. ringed sideroblasts - ANSWER -c (Lead
a. folic acid deficiency poisoning-basophilic stippling.)
b. increased reticulocyte count
c. inadequate B12 absorption
d. pyridoxine deficiency - ANSWER -a 58) The characteristic morphologic feature in lead
(Myelofibrosis is often accompanied by folate poisoning is:
deficiency, which causes macrocytic anemia.) a. macrocytosis
b. target cells
c. basophilic stippling
49) A characteristic morphologic feature in d. rouleaux formation - ANSWER -c (RBC
hemoglobin C disease is: morphology in lead poisoning.)
a. macrocytosis
b. spherocytosis
c. rouleaux formation 63) Which of the following technical factors will cause
d. target cells - ANSWER -d (Morphology in a decreased erythrocyte sedimentation rate?
Hgb C disease.) a. gross hemolysis
b. small fibrin clots in the sample
c. increased room temp
50) Thalassemias are characterized by: d. tilting of the tube - ANSWER -b (When the
a. structural abnormalities in the hemoglobin shape or size of the red blood cells prevents rouleaux
molecule formation a decreased or low ESR is expected. This
b. absence of iron in hemoglobin is observed with sickle cells, acanthocytes, and
c. decreased rate of heme synthesis spherocytes.)
d. decreased rate of globin synthesis -
ANSWER -d (Thalassemia cause.)
64) Which of the RBC indices is a measure of the
amount of hemoglobin in individual RBC's?
52) Lab findings in hereditary spherocytosis do not a. MCHC
include: b. MCV
a. decreased osmotic fragility c. Hct
b. increased autohemolysis corrected by glucose d. MCH - ANSWER -d (Patients unable to
c. reticulocytosis synthesize normal amounts of hemoglobin show
d. shortened erythrocyte survival - ANSWER -a reduction in the MCH.)
(Hereditary spherocytosis-lab results.)
65) The RDW-CV and RDW-SD performed by
53) Which of the following types of polycythemia is a automated cells counters are calculations that
severely burned patient most likely to have? provide:
a. polycythemia vera a. an index of the distribution of RBC volume
b. polycythemia, secondary to hypoxia b. a calculated mean RBC hemoglobin concentration
c. relative polycythemia associated with dehydration c. a calculated MCH
1) The light-colored zone adjacent to the nucleus in a b. production of RBCs
plasmacyte is the: c. synthesis of erythropoietin
a. ribosome d. removal of imperfect and aging cells -
b. chromatin ANSWER -d (Major site of destruction of
c. mitochondria senescent red blood cells.)
d. Golgi area - ANSWER -d (Morphological
identifiable perinuclear halo.)
14) After the removal of RBCs from the circulation
hemoglobin is broken down into:
3) The majority of the iron in an adult is found as a a. iron, prophyrin, amino acids
constituent of: b. iron, protoporphyrin, globin
a. hemoglobin c. heme, protoporphyrin, amino acids
b. hemosiderin d. heme, hemosiderin, globin - ANSWER -b
c. myoglobin (Normal degradation products of red blood cells.)
d. transferrin - ANSWER -a (2/3 iron in body
bound to Hgb.)
15) Heinz bodies are:
a. readily identified with polychrome stains
4) The main function of the hexose monophosphate b. rarely found in glucose-6-phosphate
shunt in the erythrocyte is to: dehydrogenase deficient erythrocytes
a. regulate the level of 2,3-DPG c. closely associated with spherocytes
b. provide reduced glutathione to prevent oxidation of d. denatured hemoglobin inclusion that are readily
hemoglobin removed by the spleen - ANSWER -d (Formed
c. prevent the reduction of heme iron with oxidization of Fe and formation of
d. provide energy for membrane maintenance - methemoglobin.)
ANSWER -b (Maintains in Fe++ form by way of
reduced glutathione.)
17) Cells for the transport of O2 and CO2 are:
a. erythrocytes
10) In order for hemoglobin to combine reversibly b. granulocytes
with oxygen, the iron must be: c. lymphocytes
a. complexed with haptoglobin d. thrombocytes - ANSWER -a (Primary
b. freely circulating in the cytoplasm functions of red blood cells.)
c. attached to transferrin
d. in the ferrous state - ANSWER -d (Functional
form of Fe [reduced].) 18) Erythropoietin acts as:
a. shorten the replication time of the granulocytes
b. stimulate RNA synthesis of erythroid cells
11) In which of the following disease states are c. increase colony-stimulating factors produced by
teardrop cells and abnormal platelets most the B-lymphs
characteristically seen? d. decrease the release of marrow reticulocytes -
a. hemolytic anemia ANSWER -b (Erythropoietin action.)
b. multiple myeloma
c. G-6-PD deficiency
d. myeloid metaplasia - ANSWER -d (RBC 19) What cell shape is most commonly associated
morphology; disease state identification.) with an increased MCHC?
a. teardrop cells
b. target cells
13) In the normal adult, the spleen acts as a site for: c. spherocytes
a. storage of RBCs
,BOC Hematology Test Questions and Answers Graded A+
d. sickle cells - ANSWER -c (May be referred to
as hyperchromic because of decreased MCHC.) 37) Patients with A(-) type G-6-PD deficiency are
least likely to have hemolytic episodes in which of the
following situations?
27) Which of the following characteristics are a. following the administration of oxidizing drugs
common to hereditary spherocytosis, hereditary b. following the ingestion of fava beans
elliptocytosis, hereditary stomatocytosis, and c. during infections
paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria? d. spontaneously - ANSWER -d (G-6-PD
a. autosomal dominant inheritance deficiency-hemolytic stimulus.)
b. red cell membrane defect
c. positive DAT
d. measured platelet count - ANSWER -b (RBC 38) A patient has a congenital nonspherocytic
membrane defects are common to PNH, HS, and hemolytic anemia. After exposure to anti-malarial
HE.) drugs the patient experiences a severe hemolytic
episode. This episode is characterized by red cell
inclusions caused by hemoglobin denaturation.
30) Which of the following is most closely associated Which of the following conditions is consistent with
with iron deficiency anemia? these findings?
a. iron overload in tissue a. G-6-PD deficiency
b. target cells b. thalassemia major
c. basophilic stippling c. pyruvate kinase deficiency
d. chronic blood loss - ANSWER -d (Chronic d. paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria -
blood loss frequently results in iron deficiency ANSWER -a (G-6-PD deficiency-anti-malarial
anemia.) drugs.)
32) Evidence indicates that the genetic defect in 40) Peripheral blood smears from patients with
thalassemia usually results in: untreated anemia are characterized by:
a. the production of abnormal globin chains a. pancytopenia and macrocytosis
b. a quantitative deficiency in RNA resulting in b. leukocytosis and elliptocytosis
decreased globin chain production c. leukocytosis and ovalocytes
c. a structural change in the heme portion of the d. pancytopenia and microcytosis - ANSWER -a
hemoglobin (Patients with pernicious anemia have fewer of all
d. an abnormality in the alpha- or beta- chain binding types of blood cells, but they are abnormally large.)
or affinity - ANSWER -b (Mechanism of genetic
abnormality in thalassemia reduces globin chain
production.) 41) Lab tests performed on a patient indicate
macrocytosis, anemia, leukopenia and
thrombocytopenia. Which of the following disorders is
36) An enzyme deficiency associated with a the patient most likely to have?
moderate to severe hemolytic anemia after the a. anemia of chronic disorder
patient is exposed to certain drugs and characterized b. vitamin B12 deficiency
by red cell inclusions formed by denatured c. iron deficiency
hemoglobin is: d. acute hemorrhage - ANSWER -b (Anemia
a. LD deficiency differentiation-vitamin B12 deficiency results in
b. G-6-PD deficiency pernicious anemia [pancytopenia, macrocytosis].)
c. pyruvate kinase deficiency
d. hexokinase deficiency - ANSWER -b (G-6-
PD deficiency.) 43) The characteristic morphologic feature in folic
acid deficiency is:
, BOC Hematology Test Questions and Answers Graded A+
a. macrocytosis d. polycythemia associated with renal disease -
b. target cells ANSWER -c (Polycythemia, in burn patient.)
c. basophilic stippling
d. rouleaux formation - ANSWER -a (Folate
deficiency-peripheral smear will show abnormally 54) Which of the following is most likely to be seen in
large RBCs.) lead poisoning?
a. iron overload in tissue
b. codocytes
45) The most likely cause of the macrocytosis that c. basophilic stippling
often accompanies anemia of myelofibrosis is: d. ringed sideroblasts - ANSWER -c (Lead
a. folic acid deficiency poisoning-basophilic stippling.)
b. increased reticulocyte count
c. inadequate B12 absorption
d. pyridoxine deficiency - ANSWER -a 58) The characteristic morphologic feature in lead
(Myelofibrosis is often accompanied by folate poisoning is:
deficiency, which causes macrocytic anemia.) a. macrocytosis
b. target cells
c. basophilic stippling
49) A characteristic morphologic feature in d. rouleaux formation - ANSWER -c (RBC
hemoglobin C disease is: morphology in lead poisoning.)
a. macrocytosis
b. spherocytosis
c. rouleaux formation 63) Which of the following technical factors will cause
d. target cells - ANSWER -d (Morphology in a decreased erythrocyte sedimentation rate?
Hgb C disease.) a. gross hemolysis
b. small fibrin clots in the sample
c. increased room temp
50) Thalassemias are characterized by: d. tilting of the tube - ANSWER -b (When the
a. structural abnormalities in the hemoglobin shape or size of the red blood cells prevents rouleaux
molecule formation a decreased or low ESR is expected. This
b. absence of iron in hemoglobin is observed with sickle cells, acanthocytes, and
c. decreased rate of heme synthesis spherocytes.)
d. decreased rate of globin synthesis -
ANSWER -d (Thalassemia cause.)
64) Which of the RBC indices is a measure of the
amount of hemoglobin in individual RBC's?
52) Lab findings in hereditary spherocytosis do not a. MCHC
include: b. MCV
a. decreased osmotic fragility c. Hct
b. increased autohemolysis corrected by glucose d. MCH - ANSWER -d (Patients unable to
c. reticulocytosis synthesize normal amounts of hemoglobin show
d. shortened erythrocyte survival - ANSWER -a reduction in the MCH.)
(Hereditary spherocytosis-lab results.)
65) The RDW-CV and RDW-SD performed by
53) Which of the following types of polycythemia is a automated cells counters are calculations that
severely burned patient most likely to have? provide:
a. polycythemia vera a. an index of the distribution of RBC volume
b. polycythemia, secondary to hypoxia b. a calculated mean RBC hemoglobin concentration
c. relative polycythemia associated with dehydration c. a calculated MCH
