12: Pharmacology Of Anemia

Question 1

Sx of iron poisoning

Answer 1

Necrotizing gastroenteritis, vomiting, abd pain, bloody diarrhea -> shock, lethargy, dyspnea -> can start to improve, followed by severe metabolic acidosis, coma, and death

Question 2

Treatment for acute iron toxicity

Answer 2

Whole bowel irrigation, parenteral deferoxamine

Question 3

Hemochromatosis

Answer 3

Chronic iron deposits in organs -> organ failure and death

Question 4

How do macrocytes form in megaloblastic macrocytic anemia?

Answer 4

RBCs double protein in anticipation of division -> unable to synthesize new DNA -> extrusion of nucleus leaves large cell

Question 5

How long does it take to develop vitamin B12 deficiency?

Answer 5

Years bc the body stores way more than the needed daily dose

Question 6

What drug can inactivate cyanocobalamin (Vit b12)

Answer 6

Nitrous oxide (inhaled analgesia during surgery)

Question 7

Only disease-modifying therapy approved for sickle cell disease

Answer 7

Hydroxyurea

Question 8

Common causes of neutropenia

Answer 8

1. CA
2. Congenital disorders with poor BM function
3. Viral infections / overwhelming infections
4. Autoimmune disorders
5. Drugs that destroy neutrophils

Question 9

Common sx of neutropenia

Answer 9

1. Fever
2. Sore mouth
3. Odynophagia (pain with swallowing)
4. Gingival pain/swelling
5. Skin abscesses
6. Recurrent sinusitis and otitis
7. Symptoms of PNA
8. Perirectal pain and irritation

Question 10

Why not just use thrombopoeitin or SC factor to treat thrombocytopenia?

Answer 10

1. Thrombopoeitin: risk of auto-Abs that cause even worse thrombocytopenia
2. SC Factor: severe allergic reactions

Question 11

Two major Abx that cause hemolytic anemia

Answer 11

1. Cephalosporins

2. Penicillin and derivatives

Question 12

Most common drug to cause immune drug induced thrombocytopenia

Answer 12

Heparin