Physical Therapy Assistant Practice Exam

What condition may low hemoglobin levels indicate?

1. High blood pressure

2. Anemia or blood loss

3. Dehydration

4. Chronic inflammation

The correct answer is: Anemia or blood loss

Low hemoglobin levels typically indicate anemia or blood loss. Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells that is responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the body. When hemoglobin levels are low, it suggests that there are either insufficient red blood cells or that the existing red blood cells are not adequately saturated with hemoglobin. Anemia can arise from various causes such as nutritional deficiencies (like iron, vitamin B12, or folate), chronic diseases, or blood loss from injury or menstruation. Consequently, low hemoglobin levels are a primary indicator healthcare providers use to diagnose anemia. This condition may lead to symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, and pallor, as the body struggles to deliver adequate oxygen to tissues. Other conditions listed, while they may display different symptoms or lab values, do not specifically correlate with low hemoglobin levels in the same direct manner as anemia or blood loss. In particular, high blood pressure primarily relates to cardiovascular function, dehydration affects fluid concentrations in the blood without necessarily leading to low hemoglobin, and chronic inflammation can lead to various blood changes but does not specifically indicate low hemoglobin by itself.