Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Year 3 TCD > 11. Anaemia > Flashcards

11. Anaemia Flashcards

1
Q

What is anaemia?

A

It is a low level of haemoglobin which is the result of an underlying disease, and is not a disease itself.

An- means without
-aemia refers to blood

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is the function of haemoglobin?

A

To pick up oxygen in the lungs and transport it around the body in order to oxygenate our cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What chemical element is important in the production of haemoglobin?

A

Iron

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What process are red blood cells derived from? Where does it take place? Explain the process.

A

Erythropoiesis is the process, and it takes place in bone marrow.

Myeloid progenitor cells first become reticulocyte cells once stimulated by erythropoietin, thyroid hormone or androgens. Reticulocytes are the premature red blood cells, which enter the bloodstream 3 days later once they have matured into the red blood cells.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

How long do red blood cells stay in circulation for? What happens to them after this point?

A

120 days (4 months)

They then get taken out by the reticulo-endothelial system (spleen and liver) by macrophages and monocytes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the normal haemoglobin levels for a man and woman?

A

Male : 130-180 g/L

Female : 115-160 g/L

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the normal MCV for a man and woman?

A

Male : 80-100 femtolitres

Female : 80-100 femtolitres

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What are the three general types of catagories of anaemia?

A
  • Microcytic anaemia
  • Normocytic anaemia
  • Macrocytic anaemia
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is microcytic anaemia?

A

This is when the MCV is less than 80 femtolitres indication the RBC are small in shape

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is normocytic anaemia?

A

This is when the MCV is normal (between 80-100 femtolitres) indicating the RBC are of normal size

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is macrocytic anaemia?

A

This is when the MCV is greater than 100 femtolitres

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

How can we broadly catagorise the causes of anaemia?

Hint: based on mechanism of it

A
  • Decreased production of RBCs
  • Blood Loss
  • Increased destruction of RBCs
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What are some examples of causes of anaemia that result from a decrease in RBC production?

A
  • Bone marrow disorders (aplastic anaemia)
  • Chronic kidney disease (decrease in erythropoetin)
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Vitamin B12 deficiency
    Iron deficiency
  • Chronic inflammatory disease (causes iron deficiency and reduces the lifespan of RBCs)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What are the two broad types of conditions that result in increased destruction of RBCs?

A
  • Intravascular haemolysis

- Extravascular haemolysis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are the causes of microcytic anaemia?

Hint: theres a mnemonic

A

TAILS

T- Thalassaemia
A - Anaemia of chronic inflammatory disease (ex. IBD)
I - Iron deficiency anaemia
L - Lead poisoning
S - Sideroblastic anaemia
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is sideroblastic anaemia?

A

This is where the bone marrow produces ringed siderblasts rather than healthy red blood cells. This is because despite having an adequate amount of iron available, it cannot incorporate it into haemoglobin.

17
Q

How does lead poisoning cause anaemia?

A

It causes both

  • Impaired synthesis of heme
  • Haemolysis of RBCs therefore shortened lifespan of RBCs
18
Q

What is the Mentzer index? What is it used for?

A

The Mentzer index is a specialised investigation for determining the cause of microcytic anaemia.

It is helpful in differentiating between beta thalassaemia and iron deficiency anaemia.

19
Q

What are the causes of Normocytic anaemia?

Hint: theres a mnemonic

A

3 As and 2 Hs

A - Acute blood loss
A - Anaemia of chronic disease
A - Aplastic anaemia

H - Haemolytic anaemia
H - Hypothyroidism

20
Q

When there is normocytic anaemia detected, what other laboratory test is useful to look at? Why?

A

Reticulocyte count

  • If high, it indicates a haemolytic anaemia or blood loss, as the body is trying to compensate and produce more reticulocytes to replenish the red blood cells that are lost.
  • If low, it indicates a bone marrow disorder (such as aplastic anaemia) because the bone marrow is unable to produce adequate amounts of RBCs.
21
Q

What are the causes of macrocytic anaemia?

A

Causes of macrocytic anaemia can be split into 2 catagories.

  • Megaloblastic anaemia
  • Normoblastic macrocytic anaemia
22
Q

What are the causes of megaloblastic anaemia?

A
  • B12 Deficiency

- Folate Deficiency

23
Q

What are the causes of normoblastic anaemia?

A
  • Alcohol
  • Reticulocytosis
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Pregnancy
  • Liver Disease
  • Drugs such as azathioprine or methotrexate
24
Q

What further investigation should you do if you discover on a FBC that there is macrocytic anaemia? Why do this?

A

A blood film (ie. look at the blood under a microscope) can help differentiate between megaloblastic and normoblastic anaemia

25
Q

Whats the difference under a microscope for normoblastic and megaloblastic anaemia?

A

In megaloblastic macrocytic anaemia, you can see immature large RBC (called megaloblasts). You can also potentially see hypersegmented neutrophils.

If the blood film only shows large mature red blood cells, this indicates normoblastic macrocytic anaemia.

26
Q

What are the symptoms of anaemia?

A
  • Tiredness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Palpitations
  • Worsening of other conditions such as angina, heart failure or peripheral vascular disease
27
Q

What symptoms of anaemia are specific to iron deficiency anaemia?

A
  • Pica describes dietary cravings for abnormal things such as dirt and can signify iron deficiency
  • Hair loss can indicate iron deficiency anaemia
28
Q

What are the clinical signs of anaemia in general?

A
  • Pale skin
  • Conjunctival pallor
  • Tachycardia
  • Raised respiratory rate
29
Q

What are the signs of specific causes of anaemia?

A
  • Koilonychia is spoon shaped nails and can indicate iron deficiency
  • Angular cheilitis is cracked lip angles and can indicate iron deficiency
  • Atrophic glossitis is a smooth tongue due to atrophy of the papillae and can indicate iron deficiency
  • Brittle hair and nails can indicate iron deficiency
  • Jaundice occurs in haemolytic anaemia
  • Bone deformities occur in thalassaemia
  • Oedema, hypertension and excoriations on the skin can indicate chronic kidney disease (which causes anaemia)
30
Q

What initial investigations do you do in someone who you suspect anaemia?

A
  • Haemoglobin
  • Mean Cell Volume (MCV)
  • B12
  • Folate
  • Ferritin
  • Blood film
31
Q

What further investigations can you do for someone with anaemia?

A
  • Oesophago-gastroduodenoscopy (OGD) and colonoscopy to investigate for a gastrointestinal cause of unexplained iron deficiency anaemia. This is done on an urgent cancer referral for suspected gastrointestinal cancer.
  • Bone marrow biopsy may be required if the cause is unclear

Year 3 TCD (36 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions