ATI Hematologic System Related

Review ATI Hematologic System related questions and content

After seven days of treatment with sulfonamides, a patient's hemoglobin had decreased from 14.7 gm/100ml to 10gm/100ml. The most likely cause of hemolysis in this patient is

  • A. Sickle cell disease
  • B. Thalassemia minor
  • C. Hereditary spherocytosis
  • D. Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD)
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD). Sulfonamides can trigger hemolysis in patients with G6PD deficiency due to oxidative stress on red blood cells. G6PD enzyme deficiency impairs the ability of red blood cells to combat oxidative damage, leading to hemolysis. In this case, the patient's hemoglobin decreased significantly after sulfonamide treatment, indicating red blood cell destruction. The other choices (A: Sickle cell disease, B: Thalassemia minor, C: Hereditary spherocytosis) are not directly associated with sulfonamide-induced hemolysis and would not explain the observed decrease in hemoglobin levels after treatment.