Practice test

reading sub-test

Question paper: part A

Time: 15 minutes
DO NOT open this Question Paper or the Text Booklet until you are told to do so. Write your answers on the spaces
provided on this Question Paper. You must answer the questions within the 15-minute time limit. One mark will be
granted for each correct answer. Answer ALL questions. Marks are NOT deducted for incorrect answers. At the end
of the 15 minutes, hand in this Question Paper and the Text Booklet. DO NOT remove OET material from the test
room.

Anemia: Questions
Questions 1 - 6
For each question below, decide which text (A, B, C or D) the information comes from
You may use any letter more than once.
In which text can you find information about ...

Text a
Anaemia is defined as an overall decrease in red blood cell mass. There are many varying
causes of anaemia, which all present with some general symptoms. Anaemia results in a lack
of red blood cells in the blood. Because it is the haemoglobin in red blood cells that carries
oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body, a decrease in red blood cells results in less
oxygen going into the tissues. This causes a state known as hypo+, or reduced oxygen in body
tissues_
The common symptoms of all anaemias are those of hypoxia:
 Weakness, fatigue, difficult or labored breathing
 Pale skin
 Headache and light-headedness
 Chest pain (if the patient already has a disease of the arteries supplying the heart)

Text b
There are many classification systems to differentiate anaemias. The most commonly used is
based on the size of the red blood cell. Anaemias with red blood cells that are smaller than
normal are known as microcytic anaemias. If the anaemia has normally sized red blood cells, it
is referred to as a normocytic anaemia. Finally, if the red blood cells are too big, it is known as
a macrocvtic anaemia. Normocytic anaemias are further broken up into whether or not there is
an increased number of young red blood cells (a.k.a. reticulocytes), which is an indication if
the bone marrow is working properly—for example, if the red blood cells are being destroyed
(haemolysis), there should be higher reticulocytes because there is no effect on the bone
marrow's ability to produce new cells.
Text c
While there are many different causes of anaemia, laboratory studies and unique features of
the patient can be used to help differentiate between various aetiologies.
Laboratory studies used to diagnose anaemia include:
 Haemoglobin (Hb)—a measure of the protein that transports oxygen in the red blood
cell
 Haematocrit (Hct)—a measure of the percentage of red blood cells in the blood
 Red blood cell amount (erythrocyte count)—a measure of the number of red blood
cells in the blood

A general diagnosis of anaemia can be determined by the following values:

 Haemoglobin level
o Males: less than 13.5 g/dL
o Females: less than 12.5 g/dL (women have a generally lower haemoglobin
because of blood loss during the monthly menstrual cycle)
 Haematocrit
o Males: less than 45% red blood cells
o Females: less than 37% red blood cells (women have a generally lower
haematocrit because of blood loss during the monthly menstrual cycle)
 Red blood cell amount
o Male: less than 4.7 million cells/mL
 o Female: less than 4.2 million cells/mL (women have a generally lower red
blood cell amount because of blood loss during the monthly menstrual cycle)

While these laboratory tests are good estimates of the red blood cell mass, they are not perfect.
Red blood cell mass is very difficult to measure, and therefore these laboratory tests are used
together to assess whether or not someone has anaemia.

Text D
The treatment of anaemia depends heavily on the type of anaemia that the patient is
experiencing. However, there are several overarching goals of treatment.
If possible, treat the underlying cause of the red blood cell loss. For example, if the patient has
anaemia because of blood loss, give a blood transfusion.
Identify and treat any complications that have occurred because of the anaemia. Educate the
patient on how to manage their anaemia. For example, a patient with anaemia because of iron
deficiency can supplement their treatment with iron rich foods, such as leafy green vegetables.
Alternatively, a patient with anaemia caused by vitamin deficiency should be advised to
increase their intake of folic acid and B-12. Note that patients who follow vegetarian or vegan
diets may struggle to meet B-12 requirements, so eating fortified foods and using supplements
should be advised.

1. treating patients with anaemia?

2. the symptoms of hypoxia?

3. methods used to identify anaemic patients?

4. the different types of anaemia?

5. the levels of haemoglobin in a woman with anaemia?

6. how red blood cell size affects anaemia?

Questions 7 - 14
Answer the questions below. For each answer, use a word or short phrase from the text. Each
answer may include words, numbers or both.
7. What foods should vegan patients with vitamin deficiency anaemia be encouraged to add to
their diets aside from additives?

8. If there is a decreased number of young red blood cells, what type of anaemia is being dealt
with?

9. Weakness, fatigue and difficulty and laboured breathing are common symptoms of which
condition?

10. A male with anaemia must have less than what percentage of red blood cells?

11. What is an increase in the number of reticulocytes an indication of?

12. What reduces the amount of red blood cells in female patients every month?

13. What should be treated in anaemic patients, after identifying the cause?

14. How are the different types of anaemia most commonly distinguished?

Questions 15 - 20
Complete the sentences below by using a word or short phrase from the text. Each answer may
include words, numbers, or both.
15. Anemia caused by (15) __________ should be treated with a blood transfusion

16. Patients suffering from hypoxia and chest pain are likely to also have a (16) __________.

17. If (17) __________ is function properly, high reticulocyte anemia is likely to be present.
18. A number of tests may be necessary to diagnose anemia, due to the difficulties involved in
measuring (18) __________

19. Patients with anemia caused by (19) __________ should be instructed to adjust their diet.

20. When identifying the type of aetiology, (20) __________ of the patient should be considered,
in addition to laboratory studies.