Prescribing Safety Assessment (PSA) Practice Exam

What is one cause of microcytic anaemia?

1. Vitamin B12 deficiency

2. Thalassaemia

3. Anemia of chronic disease

4. Renal failure

The correct answer is: Thalassaemia

Microcytic anaemia is characterized by smaller-than-normal red blood cells and is often a result of various underlying conditions affecting hemoglobin synthesis. Thalassaemia is one such condition; it is a genetic disorder that leads to reduced production of one of the globin chains that make up hemoglobin, resulting in the production of smaller and often abnormal red blood cells. This abnormality contributes to the microcytic nature of the anaemia. Vitamin B12 deficiency, while it can lead to anaemia, typically results in macrocytic anaemia, characterized by larger red blood cells due to impaired DNA synthesis. Anemia of chronic disease usually presents normocytic or occasionally microcytic red blood cells, but the primary mechanism is related to inflammatory processes rather than an intrinsic defect in hemoglobin production. Renal failure can lead to anaemia primarily via decreased erythropoietin production, often resulting in normocytic anaemia as well. Thalassaemia is thus a classic cause of microcytic anaemia, aligning perfectly with the characteristics and definitions involved in this condition.