Mehlman High Yield Practice Exam

Splenectomy is a treatment option for which hereditary red blood cell membrane disorder?

Sickle Cell Anemia Hereditary Spherocytosis G6PD Deficiency Thalassemia

Correct Answer:

Hereditary Spherocytosis

Explanation:

Hereditary spherocytosis involves defects in the red blood cell membrane skeleton that make cells spherical and less deformable. Those abnormally shaped cells are marked for destruction by the spleen, leading to ongoing hemolysis and usually an enlarged spleen. Removing the spleen reduces the primary site of red cell destruction, easing hemolysis and often improving anemia in severe cases. It’s especially considered when there is significant splenomegaly or hypersplenism. After splenectomy, there’s a higher risk of infection with encapsulated bacteria, so vaccines and sometimes antibiotic prophylaxis are important. The other conditions listed are not membrane disorders, so splenectomy isn’t used for them as a primary treatment.

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