Which statement defines anemia?

Which statement defines anemia?

• A. A decrease in red blood cell production only.
• B. An increase in white blood cells causing bleeding.
• C. A condition of low iron only.
• D. A deficiency of hemoglobin caused by excessive blood loss, cell destruction, or deficiency in red blood cell production.

Answer: (D)

Anemia is a deficiency in the blood’s capacity to carry oxygen, due to not enough hemoglobin or too few red blood cells. The statement you’re looking at captures this by defining anemia as a deficiency of hemoglobin caused by three broad and common mechanisms: excessive blood loss, destruction of red blood cells (hemolysis), or a problem with producing enough red blood cells. These represent the main ways anemia develops and explain why tissues don’t receive adequate oxygen. The other descriptions are too narrow or incorrect for defining anemia. It isn’t only about reduced red blood cell production, nor is it limited to low iron, and it isn’t related to a rise in white blood cells causing bleeding.

Anemia is a deficiency in the blood’s capacity to carry oxygen, due to not enough hemoglobin or too few red blood cells. The statement you’re looking at captures this by defining anemia as a deficiency of hemoglobin caused by three broad and common mechanisms: excessive blood loss, destruction of red blood cells (hemolysis), or a problem with producing enough red blood cells. These represent the main ways anemia develops and explain why tissues don’t receive adequate oxygen.

The other descriptions are too narrow or incorrect for defining anemia. It isn’t only about reduced red blood cell production, nor is it limited to low iron, and it isn’t related to a rise in white blood cells causing bleeding.