Question 1

Which of the following best explains why erythrocytes (red blood cells) are biconcave in shape?

Accepted Answer

To maximize the surface area-to-volume ratio for efficient gas exchange

Question 2

A patient is found to have a hematocrit of 60%. Which of the following is the most likely consequence?

Accepted Answer

Increased blood viscosity and risk of clot formation

Question 3

Which plasma protein is most responsible for maintaining osmotic pressure and acts as a blood buffer?

Accepted Answer

Albumin

Question 4

A patient with chronic kidney disease develops anemia. Which mechanism best explains this finding?

Accepted Answer

Decreased production of erythropoietin

Question 5

Which of the following is a direct result of the activation of thrombin during coagulation?

Accepted Answer

Conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin

Question 6

A person with type O negative blood is considered a universal donor for packed red blood cell transfusions because:

Accepted Answer

Their red blood cells lack A, B, and Rh antigens

Question 7

Which leukocyte is most abundant in normal blood and is the first responder to bacterial infection?

Accepted Answer

Neutrophil

Question 8

A patient presents with petechiae and a platelet count of 40,000/μL. Which condition is most likely?

Accepted Answer

Thrombocytopenia

Question 9

Which vitamin is essential for the synthesis of several clotting factors in the liver?

Accepted Answer

Vitamin K

Question 10

A patient with sickle-cell anemia is likely to experience which of the following during vigorous exercise?

Accepted Answer

Increased sickling of red blood cells and possible vessel blockage

Question 11

Which of the following best describes the role of platelets in hemostasis?

Accepted Answer

They form a temporary plug by adhering to exposed collagen at the injury site

Question 12

A patient receives a transfusion of mismatched blood and develops fever, chills, and hemoglobinuria. What is the most likely cause?

Accepted Answer

Agglutination and destruction of donor red blood cells by recipient antibodies

Question 13

Which of the following is a function of the complement proteins found in plasma?

Accepted Answer

Assisting in immune defense by enhancing phagocytosis and cell lysis

Question 14

Which step in hemostasis is most directly affected in a patient with von Willebrand disease?

Accepted Answer

Platelet plug formation

Question 15

A patient with a deficiency in antihemophilic factor (factor VIII) will most likely present with which disorder?

Accepted Answer

Hemophilia A

Question 16

Which of the following best explains why mature erythrocytes lack mitochondria?

Accepted Answer

To prevent the cell from using the oxygen it transports

Question 17

A patient with a chronic bacterial infection is likely to show an increase in which type of leukocyte?

Accepted Answer

Neutrophils

Question 18

Which of the following is a key difference between the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways of coagulation?

Accepted Answer

The extrinsic pathway is faster and initiated by tissue factor from damaged tissues

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the fate of the heme group from hemoglobin after erythrocyte destruction?

Accepted Answer

It is converted to bilirubin and excreted in bile

Question 20

A patient with a genetic mutation resulting in abnormal beta chains of hemoglobin is most likely to have which condition?

Accepted Answer

Sickle-cell anemia

Blood: Structure, Function, and Clinical Aspects (Chapter 17 Study Notes)

Study Guide - Practice Questions