Certified Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurse (CPHON) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Extramedullary erythropoiesis refers to the production of red blood cells outside of the bone marrow, typically occurring in organs such as the spleen and liver when the bone marrow's capability is compromised or when there are increased demands for red blood cells. An enlarged spleen, known as splenomegaly, is a common clinical finding associated with this process. The spleen becomes active in producing red blood cells during states such as anemia or bone marrow infiltration by cancer or fibrosis. The increase in erythropoietic activity leads to expansion of the splenic tissue, resulting in splenomegaly.

The other options do not directly correlate with extramedullary erythropoiesis. Although an increased level of hemoglobin might occur in cases of enhanced erythropoiesis, it is not a direct clinical finding specifically associated with extramedullary processes. High platelet counts are not a characteristic finding related to extramedullary erythropoiesis, and increased red blood cell lifespan would not be a direct consequence either; rather, the conditions causing extramedullary erythropoiesis can sometimes lead to decreased red blood cell lifespan. Thus, the connection between splenomegaly and extramed