Page Contents
OVERVIEW
This page is dedicated to organizing various examples of standardized exam questions whose topic is pernicious anemia. While this may seem a odd practice, it is useful to see multiple examples of how pernicious anemia will be characterized on standardized exams (namely the boards and the shelf exams). This page is not meant to be used as a traditional question bank (as all of the answers will be the same), however seeing the classic “test” characterization for a topic is quite valuable.
KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF THIS CONDITION (ON EXAMS)
When it comes to standardized exams, each topic has its own “code” marked by key buzzwords, lab findings, clues, etc. If you are well versed in this code you will be able to more quickly identify the condition that is being discussed, and get the right answer on the exam you are taking. Below is the “code” for pernicious anemia.
- Medical history of autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes mellitus and Hashimoto thyroiditis
- Megaloblastic anemia: due to vitamin B12 deficiency
- Subacute combined degeneration can be present due to vitamin B12 deficiency
QUESTION EXAMPLES
Question # 1
Explanation # 1
Question # 2
Explanation # 2
TESTABLE FACTS ABOUT THIS TOPIC (BEYOND ITS IDENTIFICATION)
Many questions on standardized exams go beyond simply recognizing the underlying topic. Often there are specific testable facts regarding some aspect of the topic’s pathophysiology/management/clinical implications that are commonly asked. Some of these are listed below:
- Cause: Cell mediated immune response against parietal cells in the body and fundus of the stomach.
- Consequences of parental cell destruction:
- Decreased release of intrinsic factor: this impairs the ability to absorb dietary vitamin B12 (by the terminal ileum). This leads to a vitamin B12 deficiency.
- Decreases recreation of hydrochloric acid (achlorhydria): this causes an elevated intraluminal pH, which in turn stimulates section of gastric by G cells.
Page Updated: 04.26.2017