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Multiple Choice

Which statement correctly describes macrocytosis?

Macrocytosis is the presence of red blood cells that are larger than normal, usually reflected by an elevated mean corpuscular volume. This enlargement occurs because the cells mature with delayed or defective DNA synthesis (as in B12 or folate deficiency) or in other conditions like liver disease, chronic alcohol use, reticulocytosis, or hypothyroidism. So the statement describing red blood cells that are larger than normal best captures macrocytosis. Smaller cells describe microcytosis, irregular shapes describe poikilocytosis, and a normal size describes normocytosis.

Macrocytosis is the presence of red blood cells that are larger than normal, usually reflected by an elevated mean corpuscular volume. This enlargement occurs because the cells mature with delayed or defective DNA synthesis (as in B12 or folate deficiency) or in other conditions like liver disease, chronic alcohol use, reticulocytosis, or hypothyroidism. So the statement describing red blood cells that are larger than normal best captures macrocytosis. Smaller cells describe microcytosis, irregular shapes describe poikilocytosis, and a normal size describes normocytosis.