A type of anemia often caused by blood loss or poor diet is

A. Decreased kidney production of erythropoietin is correct because in end-stage renal failure, the kidneys lose their ability to produce adequate amounts of erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates the bone marrow to produce red blood cells. Without sufficient erythropoietin, red blood cell production decreases, leading to anemia. This is one of the most common causes of anemia in chronic kidney disease.

B. Increased hemoglobin levels in the blood is incorrect because anemia is characterized by decreased hemoglobin levels, not increased. End-stage renal disease leads to reduced red blood cell production, which lowers hemoglobin levels.

C. Decreased red blood cell destruction is incorrect because decreased destruction would actually increase red blood cell count, not cause anemia. In renal failure, anemia is mainly due to decreased production, not reduced destruction.

D. Increased glomerular filtration in the kidneys is incorrect because end-stage renal failure is associated with a decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR), not increased. Reduced filtration contributes to the accumulation of waste products but does not directly cause anemia in the way decreased erythropoietin does.

A. Bacterial overgrowth of highly contagious S. aureus with development of vesicles and pruritus is incorrect because this description applies to impetigo, which is a superficial bacterial skin infection. Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition and is not contagious, so bacteria are not the primary cause.

B. Abnormal T-cell activation leading to excessive growth of keratinocytes and rapid epidermal shedding is correct because psoriasis is driven by dysregulation of the immune system. In this condition, T-cells become overactive and release cytokines that stimulate keratinocyte proliferation at an accelerated rate. Normally, keratinocytes take about 28–30 days to mature and shed, but in psoriasis, this process can occur in 3–5 days. The rapid turnover results in thickened, scaly plaques, redness, and inflammation. Chronic inflammation also contributes to the pruritus, discomfort, and erythema seen in affected areas. Triggers such as stress, infections, or certain medications may exacerbate the condition but do not cause it directly.

C. Sensitization on first exposure to an allergen with rash development on subsequent exposure is incorrect because this describes allergic contact dermatitis, where the immune system reacts to a previously encountered allergen. Psoriasis, in contrast, is autoimmune and does not require prior allergen exposure. The lesions are caused by internal immune dysregulation, not external sensitization.

D. Latent virus becomes reactivated by infection or stress, leading to development of skin lesions is incorrect because this mechanism describes viral conditions such as shingles (herpes zoster). Psoriasis is not caused by a virus, and the plaques and scales result from keratinocyte hyperproliferation due to immune dysregulation rather than viral reactivation.