Test your knowledge on haematology

13 October 2010

Read the article on haematology then answer these three questions to check your understanding. You may want to document your answers and any learning points to save in your CPD folder along with the article.

Read our clinical feature on haematology

Question 1
Question: A 39-year-old man with HbSS genotype sickle cell disease presents with these investigations: Haemaglobin 7.1 g/dL White blood count 3.4 x 10⁹/L Platelets 240 x 10⁹/L Reticulocytes 15 x 10⁹/L What is the most likely diagnosis? A. Veno-occlusive crisis B. Parvovirus B19 C. Red cell sequestration D. Pulmonary hypertension E. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)
Answer: B
Question 2
Question: Which of the following statements about sickle cell anaemia is true? A. Sequestration crises are commonest in adults B. Splenomegaly is commonest in adults C. Blood transfusion is a key treatment for painful crises D. A high haematocrit is associated with fewer crises E. A high fetal haemoglobin is associated with fewer crises
Answer: E
Question 3
Question: A 25-year-old woman with sickle cell anaemia presents unwell with generalised pains. She has saturations of 94% on air in the emergency department. Respiratory rate is 25/min. Her temperature is 38°C. She is haemodynamically stable. Her investigations are follows: Haemaglobin 7g/dL Mean cell volume 73 fL Reticulocytes 290 x 109/L Which of the following would cause you to be most concerned? A. CRP >200 mg/ml and a temperature up to 39°C B. SpO2 of 87% on air 1 hour later C. Bilirubin of 120 µg (NR =up to 20) D. Repeat haemaglobin drops to 6g/dL E. Abdominal pain
Answer: B
Question 4
Question: Which of the following is the most efficacious secondary prophylaxis for childhood stroke prevention? A. Aspirin B. Clopidogrel C. Hydroxycarbamide D. A transfusion programme E. Folic acid
Answer: D