Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) Practice Exam

During which trimester is anemia defined as less than 10.5 g/dL?

1. First trimester

2. Second trimester

3. Third trimester

4. All trimesters

The correct answer is: Second trimester

Anemia in pregnancy is assessed based on different hemoglobin thresholds during the various trimesters. In the context of this question, the definition of anemia being less than 10.5 g/dL specifically applies to the second trimester. During the first trimester, a lower cutoff for hemoglobin levels, typically around 11 g/dL, is used to define anemia. The third trimester again has a slightly higher cutoff at around 10.5 g/dL, but it is recognized that a higher physiological demand may interpret anemia differently than in the second trimester. Thus, recognizing that the particular threshold of 10.5 g/dL for anemia is specified for the second trimester reflects the unique physiological changes and demands faced by the body during that stage. This is critical for providers to ensure they are monitoring and managing maternal health effectively.