Module 1 Study Guide

 Define anemia and suggest three causes each for macrocytic and microcytic anemia.
 Name two crucial cofactors in DNA synthesis whose deficiency results in pernicious anemia. In what specific
biochemical pathways do they participate?
 What neurologic defects are observed in prolonged pernicious anemia?
 What symptoms of pernicious anemia are usually relatively mild?
 Are changes in the peripheral blood smear necessary for neurologic effects of vitamin B12 deficiency?

 What are some categories of explanations for a white blood cell count that is substantially increased or decreased
compared with the normal range?
 At what level of neutropenia does the incidence of infection dramatically increase?
 What are the most common sites and types of infections observed in neutropenic patients?
 What is the probable underlying abnormality in cyclic neutropenia?

 What are the three general mechanisms of thrombocytopenia?

 What is the most common category of cause of thrombocytopenia?
 Name the platelet protein antibodies implicated in the pathogenesis of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.
 By what mechanism can heparin-induced thrombocytopenia increase clot formation?
 Why is major bleeding unusual in drug-induced thrombocytopenia?

 Name the vitamin K–dependent clotting factors and the organ in which they are synthesized.
 What are the two major complexes found on the surface of activated platelets that are important to the surge in
thrombin production? Describe the coagulation factors that form these complexes and what the complexes
specifically activate.
 What is the main catalytic enzyme in fibrinolysis? Name two inhibitors of fibrinolysis.

 What is the nature of the defects in hemophilia A and B?

 What constitutes the Virchow triad of factors predisposing to the formation of intravascular clots?
 Deficiencies in which proteins can result in clinically significant thromboses?
 What is the basis for activated protein C resistance?

 Describe the mechanism for bilirubin formation, conjugation, and excretion.

 Describe the process by which jaundice occurs.
 What are some of the presenting symptoms of bilirubin encephalopathy and what is the mechanism that allows it to
occur?
 What does treatment of hyperbilirubinemia seek to prevent?

 How does the body acquire and deplete iron at each stage of life?
 What are symptoms of iron deficiency at each stage of life?
 Describe the difference between iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia, and how is each organ system impacted
by iron deficiency?
 What are some of the permanent sequalae of iron deficiency anemia?
 How does lead enhance the effects of iron deficiency anemia?