CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - General Science
Blood System
Which plasma protein is NOT mainly synthesized by the liver?
A. Albumin
B. Fibrinogen
C. Most immunoglobulins
D. Many clotting factors
Correct Answer: C
Most immunoglobulins are synthesized by plasma cells rather than hepatocytes.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - General Science
Blood System
The major organ that synthesizes most plasma proteins, including albumin and fibrinogen, is the:
A. Liver
B. Kidney
C. Spleen
D. Bone marrow
Correct Answer: A
The liver synthesizes most plasma proteins, with immunoglobulins being a major exception produced by plasma cells.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - General Science
Blood System
The spleen is sometimes called the 'graveyard of red blood cells' because it:
A. Removes many old or abnormal erythrocytes
B. Produces all adult red cells
C. Synthesizes all plasma albumin
D. Determines ABO genotype
Correct Answer: A
Splenic macrophages filter and remove many aged or defective erythrocytes.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - General Science
Blood System
A macrocytic red blood cell is:
A. Smaller than normal
B. Larger than normal
C. Always sickle-shaped
D. Always Rh-negative
Correct Answer: B
Macrocytosis refers to red cells larger than normal, reflected by an increased MCV.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - General Science
Blood System
A microcytic red blood cell is, by definition:
A. Smaller than normal
B. Larger than normal
C. Lacking hemoglobin completely
D. A platelet fragment
Correct Answer: A
Microcytic describes red cells with reduced mean cell volume.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - General Science
Blood System
Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) describes the average:
A. Size of red blood cells
B. Number of platelets
C. Amount of plasma albumin
D. White cell lifespan
Correct Answer: A
MCV is an index of average red blood cell volume and is used to classify anemia as microcytic, normocytic, or macrocytic.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - General Science
Blood System
Polycythemia refers to an abnormal increase in:
A. Red blood cell mass or concentration
B. White blood cells only
C. Platelets only
D. Plasma water only
Correct Answer: A
Polycythemia denotes increased erythrocyte mass or, in some settings, an increased measured red-cell concentration.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - General Science
Blood System
An increased reticulocyte count usually indicates:
A. Increased marrow red-cell production
B. Complete marrow failure in every case
C. Reduced plasma volume only
D. Absence of erythropoietin
Correct Answer: A
Reticulocytosis often reflects an active marrow response to blood loss or increased red-cell destruction.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - General Science
Blood System
Reticulocytes are:
A. Immature red blood cells recently released from marrow
B. Mature neutrophils
C. Platelet fragments
D. Plasma proteins
Correct Answer: A
Reticulocytes are young erythrocytes containing residual ribosomal RNA.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - General Science
Blood System
ESR is best considered a:
A. Nonspecific marker that may rise in inflammation
B. Specific test for one single disease
C. Direct measure of blood group
D. Measure of clotting factor VIII only
Correct Answer: A
ESR may increase in many inflammatory and other conditions, so it is nonspecific.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - General Science
Blood System
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) measures the rate at which:
A. Red cells settle in anticoagulated blood
B. White cells divide
C. Platelets aggregate
D. Hemoglobin binds oxygen
Correct Answer: A
ESR is the distance red blood cells fall in a vertical column of anticoagulated blood over a specified time.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - General Science
Blood System
An isotonic saline solution causes normal red cells to:
A. Show little net change in volume
B. Always burst
C. Always shrink markedly
D. Lose all hemoglobin
Correct Answer: A
In an isotonic solution, there is no major net osmotic movement of water across the RBC membrane.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - General Science
Blood System
A red blood cell placed in a strongly hypertonic solution tends to:
A. Swell
B. Shrink or crenate
C. Hemolyze immediately from water entry
D. Become a leukocyte
Correct Answer: B
Water leaves the cell in a hypertonic solution, causing shrinkage or crenation.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - General Science
Blood System
A red blood cell placed in a strongly hypotonic solution tends to:
A. Shrink
B. Swell and may hemolyze
C. Remain unchanged always
D. Form platelets
Correct Answer: B
Water enters the cell by osmosis in a hypotonic medium, causing swelling and possible lysis.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - General Science
Blood System
The term hemolysis means:
A. Formation of red cells
B. Rupture/destruction of red blood cells
C. Formation of a clot
D. Increase in leukocytes
Correct Answer: B
Hemolysis is disruption of red blood cells with release of hemoglobin.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - General Science
Blood System
Blood typing and crossmatching are important chiefly to reduce risk of:
A. Immune-mediated transfusion reactions
B. Bone fractures
C. Vitamin deficiency
D. Hypertension only
Correct Answer: A
Compatibility testing helps prevent antibody-mediated destruction of transfused cells.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - General Science
Blood System
A crossmatch before transfusion is performed mainly to:
A. Estimate blood sugar
B. Detect incompatibility between donor cells and recipient plasma
C. Measure hematocrit only
D. Determine ESR only
Correct Answer: B
Crossmatching checks for clinically significant incompatibility that could cause transfusion reactions.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - General Science
Blood System
Anti-D immunoglobulin given to an Rh-negative mother primarily helps to:
A. Prevent maternal sensitization to Rh(D) antigen
B. Increase fetal hemoglobin directly
C. Raise platelet count
D. Convert Rh-negative cells to Rh-positive
Correct Answer: A
Anti-D immunoglobulin reduces the chance that an Rh-negative mother will form her own anti-D antibodies after exposure.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - General Science
Blood System
Hemolytic disease of the fetus/newborn due to Rh incompatibility is most associated with an:
A. Rh-negative mother carrying an Rh-positive fetus
B. Rh-positive mother carrying an Rh-negative fetus
C. AB mother carrying O fetus only
D. O mother carrying O fetus
Correct Answer: A
Maternal sensitization to D antigen can endanger a later Rh-positive fetus.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - General Science
Blood System
An Rh-negative person generally:
A. Has D antigen on red cells
B. Lacks D antigen on red cells
C. Always has anti-D naturally at birth
D. Cannot receive any blood
Correct Answer: B
Rh-negative red cells lack D antigen; anti-D usually develops only after exposure to D-positive cells.