Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse Practice Exam

What type of anemia is characterized by a deficiency of all the blood's formed elements?

1. Sickle cell anemia

2. Folic acid deficiency anemia

3. Aplastic anemia

4. Iron deficiency anemia

The correct answer is: Aplastic anemia

Aplastic anemia is characterized by the failure of the bone marrow to produce adequate amounts of blood cells, leading to a deficiency of all the blood's formed elements, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. This condition can result from various factors such as autoimmune disorders, exposure to certain chemicals or medications, or viral infections that damage the bone marrow. In this type of anemia, the lack of production of these essential cells leads to a range of symptoms associated with low blood counts, such as fatigue, increased susceptibility to infections, and a higher risk of bleeding. Understanding this hallmark characteristic helps differentiate aplastic anemia from other forms of anemia, which may affect specific blood cell lines rather than all three.