252 Pharmacology - Anemia Flashcards
What is one of the primary functions of bones/
The formation of new blood cells (hematopoiesis).
What types of cells are created as part of hematopoeisis?
- Red blood cells (RBCs)
- White blood cells (WBCs)
- Platelets
How much of a red blood cell is made up of hemoglobin?
More than one third
What are erythrocytes?
Red blood cells (just another name for them)
What is erythropietin?
A hormone secreted by the kidneys that increases the rate of production of red blood cells in the bone marrow in response to decreasing oxygen levels in the tissues.
What is globin?
The protein part of the hemoglobin molecule (see later); the four different structural chains most often found in adults are the α1, α2, β1, and β2 chains.
What is heme?
Part of the hemoglobin molecule; a nonprotein, iron-containing pigment.
What is hemoglobin?
A complex protein–iron compound in the blood that carries oxygen to the cells from the lungs and carbon dioxide away from the cells to the lungs.
What are hemolytic anemias?
Anemias resulting from excessive destruction of erythrocytes.
Define hypochromic.
Pertaining to less than normal colour; usually describes a red blood cell with decreased hemoglobin content and helps further characterize anemias associated with reduced synthesis of hemoglobin.
What is a microcytic cell?
Pertaining to or characterized by smaller than normal cells.
What is pernicious anemia?
A type of megaloblastic anemia usually seen in older adults and caused by inadequate intestinal absorption of vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) due to lack of availability of intrinsic factor.
What are reticulocytes?
Immature erythrocytes characterized by a meshlike pattern of threads and particles at the former site of the nucleus.
What are spherocytes?
Small, globular, completely hemoglobinated erythrocytes without the usual central concavity or pallor.
What drug is a biosynthetic form of the natural hormone erythropoietin?
epoetin alfa
What medication is used for treatment of anemia associated with end-stage renal disease, chemotherapy-induced anemia, and anemia associated with zidovudine therapy
epoeitin alfa
What must be present in the body for epoetin alfa to work?
Iron and bone marrow function
What is the longer-acting form of epoetin alfa called?
darbepoetin (Aranesp®)
What is the mode of action of epoetin alfa?
Promotes the synthesis of RBCs by stimulating RBC progenitor cells in the bone marrow
What is the advantage of darbepoetin over epoetin?
Darbepoetin is longer acting and requires fewer injections.
When is the use of epoetin and darbepoetin contraindicated?
- In cases of uncontrolled hypertension
- When Hgb levels are above 100 mmol/L for cancer patients
- When Hgb levels are above 130 mmol/L for patients with kidney disease
- Head or neck cancers or patients at risk for thrombosis
What are the most frequent side effects of epoetin alfa?
- Hypertension
- fever
- headache
- pruritis
- rash
- nausea
- vomiting
- arthralgia
- injection site reaction
How are epoetin and darbepoetin given?
Injection; IV or SUBCUT
What are some key characteristics of iron?
- Essential mineral in the body
- Oxygen carrier in hemoglobin and myoglobin
- Stored in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow
- Deficiency results in anemia
What groups require the highest amount of iron?
- Women
- Children
They are the groups most likely to develop iron-deficient anemia
What are some dietary sources of iron?
- Meats
- Certain vegetables and grains
- Beans
- Dried fruits
- Eggs
*** These forms must be broken down by gastric juices before the iron can be absorbed ***
Which foods may enhance iron absorption?
- Orange juice
- Veal
- Fish
- Ascorbic acid