A 45-Year-Old Man Comes to the Office for Evaluation of Fatigue

A 45-year-old man comes to the office for evaluation of fatigue that has been gradually increasing over the past 4 months.  The patient has had difficulty keeping up with the labor involved with his job as a construction worker.  Over the past 2 weeks, he has been unable to climb past the second floor of the building his company is renovating.  The patient also has increasing shortness of breath with minor activities, such as lifting his toolbox out of the car.  Review of systems reveals constipation and decreased concentration.  Physical examination shows an overweight male with conjunctival pallor who has difficulty getting onto the examination table due to shortness of breath.  Laboratory test results are as follows: Which of the following findings would most likely be seen on this patient's peripheral blood smear?

A) Basophilic stippling
B) Heinz bodies
C) Howell-Jolly bodies
D) Ring sideroblasts
E) Schistocytes

Correct Answer:

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