Which statement correctly describes anemia?

• A. Anemia is associated with high RBC count
• B. Anemia is associated with decreased WBC count
• C. Anemia is associated with decreased hemoglobin alone
• D. Anemia is associated with low RBC count (low haemoglobin)

Answer: (D)

Anemia is a fall in the blood’s capacity to carry oxygen, typically because there are fewer red blood cells or less hemoglobin. The clearest description is that anemia is associated with a low red blood cell count together with low hemoglobin, which directly reduces the blood’s oxygen-carrying mass. High red blood cell count isn’t anemia, and a decreased white blood cell count isn’t the defining feature of anemia. While hemoglobin can be low even if the red blood cell count is not reduced, the statement that links both a low RBC count and low hemoglobin best captures the usual picture of anemia.