Blood Cell
Cough: Character (dry/productive), sputum (frothy, pink-tinged - "pink frothy sputum" is classic for severe pulmonary oedema due to red blood cells extravasating into alveoli).
What our notes say
- Cough: Character (dry/productive), sputum (frothy, pink-tinged - "pink frothy sputum" is classic for severe pulmonary oedema due to red blood cells extravasating into alveoli). (Pulmonary oedema and ARDS)
- Leukaemia is a malignant clonal proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells resulting in uncontrolled growth of immature white blood cells (blasts) in the bone marrow, peripheral blood and often extramedullary sites. (Leukaemias)
- Urinalysis reveals blood with many red blood cells but is negative for signs of infection. (HEMAT IMED PAPER)
- Red blood cell casts, 2+ protein, pyuria and red cells too numerous to count (Paediatrics end of 3rd trimester exam (MBPE 4300): 11 January 2022, congenital h)
- Red blood cell casts in the urine indicate pre-renal failure (Paediatrics end of fourth year main exam: 1 July 2019, Paper One, 99 of 100 MCQs)
- *Answer:* Transfuse packed red blood cells to raise haemoglobin above 9 g/dL, then initiate oral iron therapy to replenish depleted stores. (Approach to anaemia)
Study material on Blood Cell
- Harrisons Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
- Blood Biochemistry — Notes
- Devendra K. Gupta, Krishna M. Goel - Hutchison’s Paediatrics. chdhe-Jaypee Brothers (2012)
- Harrisons Cardiovascular Medicine 2nd Edition 2
- Haematology Exam 2025: MCQs on Anaemia, Leukaemia & Clotting
- Haematology End of Year 2025 Past Paper — MKU MBML 3200 Questions & Answers
- Davidson's Essentials of Medicine - 2nd
- Haematology End-of-Year 2025
- Medical Biochemistry II: MBMB 2200 Paper A Answer Key — Part 5
- Blood Grouping and Blood Typing — Notes
- Haematology Exam 2025: MCQs on Anaemia, Leukaemia & Clotting
- Clinical Chemistry CAT 1 — Blood Transfusion
- Weekly Pathology Exam - May 15, 2026 (Section A: MCQs)
- Weekly Year 2: Cellular Immunology Exam - May 1, 2026 (Section A: MCQs)
- Weekly Pathology Exam - May 1, 2026 (Section A: MCQs)
- Weekly Year 2: Cellular Immunology Exam - April 3, 2026 (Section A: MCQs)
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Practice questions on Blood Cell
What is the shelf life of a unit of Red Blood Cells that has been 'opened' by entering the system for washing or aliquoting in an open system, if stored at 1-6°C?
- 24 hours
- 4 hours
- 7 days
- 42 days
Answer: A. Once the sterile seal of a blood unit is broken (open system), the risk of bacterial contamination requires discarding the unit within 24 hours when stored at 1–6°C.
Which blood type is considered the universal donor for red blood cells?
- Type A
- Type B
- Type O
- Type AB
Answer: C. Type O negative red blood cells lack both A and B antigens and the Rh factor, making them compatible with all other blood types.
Which blood type is considered the universal recipient for red blood cells?
- Type A
- Type B
- Type O
- Type AB
Answer: D. Type AB positive individuals have both A and B antigens and the Rh factor on their red blood cells, so they do not produce antibodies against A, B, or Rh antigens and can receive red blood cells from any ABO and Rh blood type.
Which antigen is present on the surface of red blood cells in Type B blood?
- A antigen
- B antigen
- AB antigen
- Rh antigen
Answer: B. Type B blood has the B antigen on the surface of its red blood cells.
A 28-year-old woman presents with fatigue and pallor. Complete blood count shows low haemoglobin level and peripheral blood film shows microcytic hypochromic red blood cells. What is the most likely diagnosis?
- Iron deficiency anaemia
- Haemolytic anaemia
- Aplastic anaemia
- Vitamin B12 deficiency
Answer: A. Microcytic hypochromic red cells reflect impaired haemoglobin synthesis, classically caused by iron deficiency. Vitamin B12 deficiency instead causes macrocytic anaemia; the other options don't typically present with this cell morphology.
Which blood cell type is primarily responsible for defence against parasitic infections?
- Lymphocytes
- Neutrophils
- Monocytes
- Eosinophils
Answer: D. Eosinophils contain cytotoxic granule proteins (e.g., major basic protein, eosinophil cationic protein) specifically effective against helminths and other parasites.