Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Practice Exam

Microcytic and hypochromic red blood cells can indicate which of the following conditions?

1. Thalassemia minor

2. Acute leukemia

3. Pernicious anemia

4. Normocytic anemia

The correct answer is: Thalassemia minor

Microcytic and hypochromic red blood cells are typically associated with certain types of anemia, particularly those that are characterized by a deficiency in hemoglobin production. Thalassemia minor is a genetic condition in which the production of one of the globin chains of hemoglobin is reduced. This results in microcytic (smaller than normal) and hypochromic (less color than normal due to reduced hemoglobin content) red blood cells. In this condition, the body compensates for the reduced hemoglobin levels, often leading to a mild or asymptomatic anemia, but the characteristic laboratory finding of microcytic and hypochromic blood cells is a key indicator. While acute leukemia, pernicious anemia, and normocytic anemia can involve abnormalities in red blood cells, they do not typically present with the specific microcytic and hypochromic features associated with thalassemia minor. Acute leukemia generally results in the presence of immature white blood cells and can show variations in red blood cell size but is characterized by a different morphology. Pernicious anemia often leads to macrocytic red blood cells due to vitamin B12 deficiency, presenting as larger and more rounded than normal. Normocytic anemia indicates that the