Which term describes a condition describing a lack of red blood cells?

Which term describes a condition describing a lack of red blood cells?

• A. Anemia
• B. Bleeding disorder
• C. Polycythemia
• D. Leukemia

Answer: (A)

Anemia is the term used when the body doesn’t have enough red blood cells or enough hemoglobin to carry oxygen efficiently. Red blood cells are what shuttle oxygen from the lungs to tissues throughout the body, so a shortage means tissues can’t get the oxygen they need, leading to fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath. This description directly captures a deficiency of red blood cells, which is why it is the best fit for “a lack of red blood cells.” The other terms describe different issues: a bleeding disorder refers to problems with clotting and excessive bleeding, not a low red blood cell count; polycythemia means there are too many red blood cells; leukemia is a cancer of white blood cells.

Anemia is the term used when the body doesn’t have enough red blood cells or enough hemoglobin to carry oxygen efficiently. Red blood cells are what shuttle oxygen from the lungs to tissues throughout the body, so a shortage means tissues can’t get the oxygen they need, leading to fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath. This description directly captures a deficiency of red blood cells, which is why it is the best fit for “a lack of red blood cells.”

The other terms describe different issues: a bleeding disorder refers to problems with clotting and excessive bleeding, not a low red blood cell count; polycythemia means there are too many red blood cells; leukemia is a cancer of white blood cells.