Marrow suppression resulting from drugs and/or chemicals, radiation, infection and metabolic disorders is...

• A. Drugs and/or chemicals, radiation, infection and metabolic disorders.
• B. Vitamin deficiencies.
• C. Dehydration.
• D. Bacterial overgrowth.

Answer: (A)

Bone marrow suppression, or myelosuppression, happens when the marrow’s ability to produce blood cells is reduced. This condition can be caused by drugs and/or chemicals, exposure to radiation, infections that damage hematopoietic tissue, and metabolic disorders that disrupt the marrow environment. The option that names these exact causes is the best choice because it directly identifies the etiologies behind marrow suppression. Other choices describe symptoms or related issues (like vitamin deficiencies or dehydration) but do not capture the specific causes that lead to marrow suppression.