Which term indicates decreased hemoglobin?

Which term indicates decreased hemoglobin?

• A. Anorexia
• B. Anterior
• C. Anemia
• D. Apnea

Answer: (C)

Anemia is the term used when the amount of hemoglobin, or the red blood cell mass, is reduced, which lowers the blood’s ability to carry oxygen to tissues. Hemoglobin functions as the oxygen courier; when its quantity is decreased, tissues may become hypoxic, leading to signs like weakness, pale mucous membranes, and faster heart rate. Diagnostically, you’d expect to see low hemoglobin on a CBC, often with a low hematocrit and sometimes a reduced red blood cell count. The other options refer to unrelated concepts—loss of appetite, an anatomical directional term, and a pause in breathing—so they don’t describe decreased hemoglobin. Therefore, the correct term is anemia.

Anemia is the term used when the amount of hemoglobin, or the red blood cell mass, is reduced, which lowers the blood’s ability to carry oxygen to tissues. Hemoglobin functions as the oxygen courier; when its quantity is decreased, tissues may become hypoxic, leading to signs like weakness, pale mucous membranes, and faster heart rate. Diagnostically, you’d expect to see low hemoglobin on a CBC, often with a low hematocrit and sometimes a reduced red blood cell count. The other options refer to unrelated concepts—loss of appetite, an anatomical directional term, and a pause in breathing—so they don’t describe decreased hemoglobin. Therefore, the correct term is anemia.