Clinical Medical Assistant Certification Exam Practice Question

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: In iron-deficiency anemia, red blood cells are typically smaller than normal due to inadequate hemoglobin production, resulting in microcytic (small) and hypochromic (pale) cells.

Option A (Macrocytic polychromic) is incorrect as it describes larger cells with varying colors, which is not characteristic of iron deficiency.

Option C (Microcytic normochromic) is misleading because while the cells are microcytic, they are not normochromic; they lack adequate hemoglobin, appearing pale.

Option D (Normocytic hypochromic) incorrectly suggests normal cell size, which does not align with the diagnosis.

Option E (Normocytic polychromic) also misrepresents the cell size and color, as the cells are neither normal-sized nor varied in color.