161.Erythrocytes may have abnormal shapes and sizes in certain diseases.
In iron deficiency you would expect to see which of the following?
a. Microcytic, hypochromatic anemia with smaller mature erythrocytes
b. Macrocytic, hyperchromatic anemia with fewer, larger mature erythrocytes
c. Poikilocytosis and more fragile erythrocytes
d. Spherocytosis
e. No change in erythrocyte size or shape, but a substantial drop in the hematocrit
162.A 43-year-old woman who has suffered from diabetes for 30 years
comes into the clinic. Her hematocrit is 21 and she has a reduced RBC
count. Her serum creatinine is 3.0 (normal 2.0 or below). She has a nega-
tive pregnancy test and is a nonsmoker. Which of the following would best
explain her condition?
a. Decreased hepatic production of erythropoietin leading to decreased numbers
of circulating reticulocytes in the bloodstream
b. Increased erythropoietin production by the liver resulting in increased numbers
of reticulocytes
c. Decreased renal erythropoietin production leading to reduced red blood cell
production
d. Decreased estrogen levels stimulating hepatic production of erythropoietin
e. Decreased estrogen levels directly inhibiting red blood cell production by the
bone marrow
Cardiovascular System, Blood, and Bone Marrow 257