University of Baghdad

College of Medicine
Department of Pathology and Forensic Medicine
Systemic Pathology Module
Essay
Questions
Blood Transfusion 1 and 2

1. Apply the principles of clinical transfusion practice.

2. How would you properly select a blood donor?
3. How would you defer an unfit blood donor?
4. Enumerate 5 infectious diseases that are deferred permanently from blood donation.
5. What does the physical examination of blood donors include?
6. List the mandatory tests done on donor blood in Iraqi Blood Banks.
Follow the steps of compatibility testing.
7. Identify the red cell antigens and blood group antibodies.
8. Differentiate between direct and indirect antiglobulin tests.
9. How often would you change the infusion (administration) set?
10. What are the Indications of the use of blood warmers?
11. Mention the mode of action of each constituent of the CPDA-1 anticoagulant.
12. Define the specified time-limits of infusing the packed RBC, Platelet concentrate, and
Fresh frozen plasma.
13. How would you record the process of blood transfusion?
14. How would you monitor a transfused patient?
15. Describe the effects of RBC sensitization.
16. Describe the pathogenesis of the immediate hemolytic transfusion reaction.
17. How would you manage immediate Hemolytic transfusion reactions?
18. Diagnose the causes of febrile reactions, purpura, and urticaria.
19. Diagnose and manage the fatal complications (anaphylactic reactions and TRALI)
20. How would you prevent bacterial contamination?
21. How would you avoid circulatory overload in susceptible individuals?
22. Mention the complications of massive transfusion.

Cardiovascular System 1 and 2

1. Enumerate the major risk factors of atherosclerosis.

2. Explain the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.
3. Enumerate, in descending order of severity, the most heavily involved arteries in the body
by atherosclerosis.
4. Describe the gross features of atherosclerosis.
5. What are the microscopic features of hyperplastic arteriolosclerosis?
6. Define aneurysm. What is the morphological classification of an aneurysm?
7. Dissection of the aorta occurs principally in two groups of patients; mention them.
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 8. Enumerate ischemic heart diseases, mention four ischemic syndromes, and enumerate
contributory events that affect their occurrence.
9. Explain the pathogenesis of ischemic heart diseases.
10. What is the role of platelets in the pathogenesis of ischemic heart diseases?
11. Describe the morphology (gross &microscopic) of myocardial infarction.
12. Define Aschoff bodies.
13. What are the cardinal anatomic changes of the mitral valve in chronic rheumatic heart
disease?
14. What is the most common primary tumor of the heart in adults? Mention it and describe
its morphology.

Respiratory System:
1. Enumerate the morphological stages of lobar pneumonia.
2. Enumerate three complications of pneumonia.
3. Enumerate four causes of community-acquired atypical pneumonia.
4. Enumerate three morphological features of Pulmonary tuberculosis.
5. Enumerate four materials used for the diagnosis of lung tumors.
6. Enumerate three precursors of lung tumors.

Gastrointestinal Tract Pathology:

1. Describe the histological features of pyogenic granuloma.

2. Enumerate the factors that predispose to Candida infection.
3. Describe the microscopical features of pleomorphic adenoma.
4. Enumerate the risk factors of gastroesophageal reflux disease.
5. Describe the microscopic features of reflux esophagitis.
6. Mention the potential consequences of severe reflux esophagitis.
7. Define Barrett's esophagus and mention its microscopic features.
8. List the causes of intestinal obstruction.
9. Describe the risk factors of colorectal carcinoma.
10. Write a short account on colonic polyps.
11. Mention the morphological features of carcinoid tumor.
12. What are the main pathological differences between ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s
disease?

Liver Pathology:

1. Describe the gross and histopathological features of alcoholic liver disease.

2. List the types of metabolic liver disease.
3. Write a short account on the pathogenesis of primary biliary cholangitis.
4. Mention the risk factors of hepatocellular carcinoma.
5. What are the morphological features of focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver?

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Gall Bladder and Pancreas Pathology:

1. List common types of gallstones and the contributory risk factors for their formation.
2. List five complications of gallstones.
3. Enumerate three gross features of acute cholecystitis.
4. Describe the gross and microscopic features of gall bladder carcinoma
5. Enumerate risk factors of cholangiocarcinoma.
6. What are the gross features of acute pancreatitis?
7. List four causes of chronic pancreatitis.
8. Mention two microscopic features that are characteristic of pancreatic cancer.

RBC Disorders 1 and 2

1. Briefly mention the role of erythropoietin in regulating erythropoiesis, including where it

is produced and the stimulus for its secretion.
2. Write short notes about the normal structure and function of hemoglobin, including its
composition and role in gas exchange.
3. Define anemia according to the WHO criteria for adult males, non-pregnant females, and
pregnant women.
4. List four factors that determine the clinical severity of anemia.
5. Compare and contrast the laboratory findings in iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and anemia
of chronic disease (ACD) regarding serum iron, TIBC, ferritin, and hemoglobin
electrophoresis.
6. Explain why reticulocyte count is a useful indicator of bone marrow activity and give two
clinical situations where it would be elevated.
7. Mention four differences in laboratory tests that help differentiate iron deficiency anemia
from megaloblastic anemia.
8. List three causes of vitamin B₁₂ deficiency and explain how each leads to impaired
absorption.
9. Explain the autoimmune mechanism underlying pernicious anemia, including the
antibodies involved and their targets.
10. Describe the bone marrow findings in aplastic anemia and explain why bone marrow
biopsy is essential for diagnosis.
11. Explain the role of hepcidin in the pathophysiology of anemia of chronic disease.
12. Identify the clinical signs and symptoms of anemia and explain how the speed of onset
influences their presentation.
13. Classify anemia based on the morphology and give 3 examples of each type.
14. Write short notes about hemoglobin breakdown.
15. List four potential causes of aplastic anemia and classify them as primary or secondary.
16. List four tests that help in the diagnosis of megaloblastic anemia with their expected
results.
17. Compare the expected reticulocyte count in hemolytic anemia versus untreated iron
deficiency anemia and explain the physiological reason for the difference.
18. Describe how chronic blood loss leads to iron deficiency anemia and list two common
sources of such blood loss in adults.

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19. Explain why patients with pernicious anemia may present with neurological symptoms,
linking the pathophysiology to vitamin B₁₂ function.
20. Explain the pathophysiology of sickle cell anemia on the molecular and cellular levels
briefly.
21. What are the findings of hemoglobin electrophoresis in sickle cell anemia?
22. List the laboratory findings of beta thalassemia major.
23. List the four alpha thalassemia syndromes and mention the genetic defect in each type.
24. A 5-year-old boy presented with dark brown urine, jaundice, and irritability for 1 day. He
was diagnosed with acute otitis media 3 days ago and started on ciprofloxacin ear drops
and oral nitrofurantoin. Laboratory tests revealed Hb: 7.8 g/d, reticulocytes: 10%, and
indirect bilirubin: 3.5 mg/dL. In the peripheral smear, there are occasional blister cells and
bite cells. Heinz bodies are visible on a special stain.
A. What is the most likely diagnosis given the history, physical exam, and lab findings?
B. Mention the mode of inheritance of this disease.
25. Describe the RBC morphology in hereditary spherocytosis.
26. What are the types of immune hemolytic anemia? Mention 2 causes of each type.
27. List three causes of traumatic hemolytic anemia.

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