Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) Practice Exam

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What hemoglobin value indicates a need for iron supplements during pregnancy?

Less than 10.5 g/dL
Less than 11 g/dL
Less than 12 g/dL
Less than 10 g/dL

The correct answer is: Less than 10.5 g/dL

During pregnancy, maintaining optimal hemoglobin levels is crucial for both maternal and fetal health. Anemia in pregnancy is commonly linked to iron deficiency, which can adversely affect the oxygen supply to the developing fetus and lead to complications. A hemoglobin value of less than 10.5 g/dL is indicative of moderate to severe anemia and suggests a significant deficiency in iron stores, warranting the need for iron supplementation. This threshold is notably lower than the standard hemoglobin level of 11 g/dL typically used to identify mild anemia in pregnant women. Thus, detecting levels below 10.5 g/dL raises serious concerns and necessitates intervention. While the other hemoglobin values listed might suggest lower levels of hemoglobin, they are not as critical for determining the need for iron supplements as the threshold of less than 10.5 g/dL. Therefore, it is considered the correct marker for indicating when iron supplementation is essential during pregnancy.