& x20;A patient presents with Hb 8 g/dL, MCV 62 fL, and low serum ferritin. Which type of anemia is most like… - INI-CET EXAM -2026

INI-CET EXAM -2026

Medical & Surgical Nursing

Medium

Appeared in: INI-CET EXAM -2026

Explanation

The combination of low hemoglobin (anemia), low MCV (microcytosis), and low serum ferritin (depleted iron stores) is the hallmark of iron deficiency anemia.
Low MCV signifies that the red blood cells are small, a direct result of insufficient iron for hemoglobin synthesis.
Low serum ferritin is the most specific test for iron deficiency, as it directly measures the body's iron reserves.
Other anemias have different patterns; for example, megaloblastic anemia has a high MCV, and anemia of chronic disease often has normal or high ferritin.

Option A: Sideroblastic anemia is incorrect because, although it can present with a low MCV, serum ferritin levels are typically normal or elevated. This is because the problem is with iron utilization, not iron storage.
Option B: Megaloblastic anemia is characterized by a high MCV (macrocytosis), typically greater than 100 fL. The patient's MCV of 62 fL is low, ruling out this diagnosis.
Option D: Aplastic anemia is a condition of bone marrow failure affecting all cell lines (pancytopenia). It typically presents as a normocytic, normochromic anemia, meaning the MCV would be within the normal range (80-100 fL).

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Interpretation of complete blood count (CBC) and iron studies to differentiate types of anemia helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Nurses play a crucial role in identifying patients at risk for iron deficiency anemia, such as pregnant women, young children, and patients with chronic blood loss.
Patient education is a key nursing intervention, focusing on dietary sources of iron (red meat, leafy greens, fortified cereals) and proper administration of iron supplements (e.g., with vitamin C to enhance absorption).
Monitoring for the therapeutic effects of iron supplementation (e.g., increased Hb levels, improved symptoms of fatigue) and side effects (e.g., constipation, nausea) is an important nursing responsibility.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key laboratory values provided in the stem: Hb = 8 g/dL, MCV = 62 fL, and low serum ferritin.
Analyze each value against its normal range. Hb is low (anemia). MCV is low (microcytic). Ferritin is low (iron stores depleted).
Synthesize the findings. The combination of microcytic anemia with low iron stores is the classic presentation of a specific type of anemia.
Evaluate each option against this clinical picture.
Option C, Iron deficiency anemia, perfectly matches the triad of low Hb, low MCV, and low ferritin.
Rule out the other options based on their known characteristics: Sideroblastic (high ferritin), Megaloblastic (high MCV), and Aplastic (normal MCV).

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Interpretation of complete blood count (CBC) and iron studies to differentiate types of anemia.
Stem keywords: Hb, MCV, serum ferritin, anemia
Lead-in keywords: most likely
Clinical cues: Hb 8 g/dL indicates moderate to severe anemia.
Clinical cues: MCV 62 fL indicates microcytic red blood cells.

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