Which condition is characterized by an absence of all formed blood elements caused by failure of blood cell production in the bone marrow?

Which condition is characterized by an absence of all formed blood elements caused by failure of blood cell production in the bone marrow?

• A. Anticoagulant
• B. Nebulizer
• C. Bronchorrhea
• D. Aplastic anemia

Answer: (D)

Aplastic anemia describes a failure of blood cell production in the bone marrow, leading to the absence of all formed blood elements. When the marrow can’t produce red cells, white cells, or platelets, the result is pancytopenia, which causes fatigue from anemia, higher infection risk from leukopenia, and easy bruising or bleeding from thrombocytopenia. The marrow typically appears hypocellular with fatty replacement on biopsy, rather than normal hematopoietic tissue. Causes can be exposure to radiation, certain drugs or chemicals, or it can be idiopathic; treatment ranges from removing triggers and supportive care to immunosuppressive therapy or a bone marrow transplant. The other terms are unrelated to bone marrow failure: an anticoagulant prevents clotting, a nebulizer delivers inhaled meds, and bronchorrhea means excessive bronchial secretions.

Aplastic anemia describes a failure of blood cell production in the bone marrow, leading to the absence of all formed blood elements. When the marrow can’t produce red cells, white cells, or platelets, the result is pancytopenia, which causes fatigue from anemia, higher infection risk from leukopenia, and easy bruising or bleeding from thrombocytopenia. The marrow typically appears hypocellular with fatty replacement on biopsy, rather than normal hematopoietic tissue. Causes can be exposure to radiation, certain drugs or chemicals, or it can be idiopathic; treatment ranges from removing triggers and supportive care to immunosuppressive therapy or a bone marrow transplant. The other terms are unrelated to bone marrow failure: an anticoagulant prevents clotting, a nebulizer delivers inhaled meds, and bronchorrhea means excessive bronchial secretions.