Haematology: practice question

A General Medicine question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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General Medicine · Haematology

Sample item

Which blood-film description is most characteristic of iron deficiency anaemia?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Microcytic hypochromic red cells

Iron deficiency limits haemoglobin synthesis, leading to small, pale red cells and often a raised red-cell distribution width; the underlying source of iron loss must also be identified.

Option by option

  • A. Macrocytic red cells with hypersegmented neutrophils

    Macrocytosis with hypersegmented neutrophils suggests B12 or folate deficiency.

  • B. Microcytic hypochromic red cells (correct)

    Correct: iron deficiency classically causes microcytosis and hypochromia.

  • C. Spherocytes after haemolysis

    Spherocytes are associated with haemolytic processes such as hereditary spherocytosis.

  • D. Blasts in acute leukaemia

    Blasts suggest marrow malignancy, not simple iron deficiency.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More General Medicine questions

Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is B, Microcytic hypochromic red cells. Iron deficiency limits haemoglobin synthesis, leading to small, pale red cells and often a raised red-cell distribution width; the underlying source of iron loss must also be identified.

Why is "Macrocytic red cells with hypersegmented neutrophils" not the answer?

Macrocytosis with hypersegmented neutrophils suggests B12 or folate deficiency.

Why is "Spherocytes after haemolysis" not the answer?

Spherocytes are associated with haemolytic processes such as hereditary spherocytosis.

Why is "Blasts in acute leukaemia" not the answer?

Blasts suggest marrow malignancy, not simple iron deficiency.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Haematology in General Medicine. The correct option holds because: Correct: iron deficiency classically causes microcytosis and hypochromia.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Haematology?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.