A 61-year-old man reports fatigue. Hemoglobin is 9.8 g/dL, MCV is 70 fL, ferritin is 8 ng/mL, and stool occult blood testing is positive. He has no

Question

A 61-year-old man reports fatigue. Hemoglobin is 9.8 g/dL, MCV is 70 fL, ferritin is 8 ng/mL, and stool occult blood testing is positive. He has no abdominal pain and no prior colorectal screening. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

Accepted Answer

Perform colonoscopy

Answer

Begin vitamin B12 replacement

Answer

Treat empirically for hemorrhoids

Answer

Start iron and reassess in 1 year

Answer

Order hemoglobin electrophoresis

Iron deficiency anemia — USMLE Step 3 MCQ

A 61-year-old man reports fatigue. Hemoglobin is 9.8 g/dL, MCV is 70 fL, ferritin is 8 ng/mL, and stool occult blood testing is positive. He has no abdominal pain and no prior colorectal screening. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?