The table shows the concentration of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in the blood of four patients: A, B, C, and D.

Which patient is most likely to have a dietary iron deficiency and have blood that does not clot easily to stop bleeding?

\begin{tabular}{|c|c|c|c|}
\hline
Patient & \begin{tabular}{l}
Red blood cells per \\
[tex]$mm^3$[/tex]
\end{tabular} & \begin{tabular}{l}
White blood cells per \\
[tex]$mm^3$[/tex]
\end{tabular} & \begin{tabular}{l}
Platelets per \\
[tex]$mm^3$[/tex]
\end{tabular} \\
\hline
A & 2250000 & 9000 & 300000 \\
\hline
B & 5000000 & 6000 & 300000 \\
\hline
C & 5000000 & 9000 & 100000 \\
\hline
D & 2225000 & 6000 & 100000 \\
\hline
\end{tabular}



Answer :

To determine which patient is most likely to have a dietary iron deficiency and to have blood that does not clot easily, we need to analyze the data for red blood cells and platelets for each patient.

### Step 1: Identify Dietary Iron Deficiency
A dietary iron deficiency is typically associated with a low red blood cell count. We will compare the red blood cell counts of all four patients:

- Patient A: 2,250,000 red blood cells/mm³
- Patient B: 5,000,000 red blood cells/mm³
- Patient C: 5,000,000 red blood cells/mm³
- Patient D: 2,225,000 red blood cells/mm³

The patient with the lowest red blood cell count is Patient D with 2,225,000 cells/mm³. Hence, Patient D is the most likely to have a dietary iron deficiency.

### Step 2: Identify Blood Clotting Issue
Blood that does not clot easily is associated with a low platelet count. We will now compare the platelet counts:

- Patient A: 300,000 platelets/mm³
- Patient B: 300,000 platelets/mm³
- Patient C: 100,000 platelets/mm³
- Patient D: 100,000 platelets/mm³

The patients with the lowest platelet counts are Patient C and Patient D, both having 100,000 platelets/mm³.

### Step 3: Combine Conditions
We need to find the patient who fits both conditions: the lowest red blood cell count and the lowest platelet count.

- Patient D has the lowest red blood cell count (2,225,000 cells/mm³) and also has one of the lowest platelet counts (100,000 platelets/mm³).

Thus, the patient who is most likely to have both a dietary iron deficiency and blood that does not clot easily is Patient D.