Nationally Registered Certified Medical Assistant (NRCMA) (NAHP) Practice Exam

Some people may confuse Thalassemia to be the correct answer because it is another type of anemia that affects red blood cells, but it is not specific to blacks and the prevalence is not as high as sickle cell. Aplastic anemia and Hemolytic anemia are also forms of anemia, but they are not specifically associated with race and are not as common in the black population as sickle cell.

Sickle cell anemia is the correct answer because it specifically affects black individuals and is caused by inheriting an abnormal gene from both parents. One in ten individuals in the black population carry this abnormal gene, which results in a decreased life span of red blood cells and leads to symptoms of anemia. This is a genetic condition that is not necessarily preventable, but can be managed with proper medical care.