Anemia Classification · Pathology

Anemia of chronic renal failure is primarily classified as normocytic and normochromic because the underlying defect is:

  1. Shortened red cell lifespan
  2. Erythropoietin (EPO) deficiency
  3. Chronic occult GI bleeding
  4. Vitamin D toxicity
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Correct answer: Erythropoietin (EPO) deficiency

The kidneys are the primary source of erythropoietin. In chronic renal failure, the lack of EPO leads to decreased red cell production, resulting in a normocytic, normochromic anemia with a low reticulocyte count.

Difficulty: Medium Question 19 of 20

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