Alterations of Hematologic Function Flashcards
Anemia (definition)
the reduction in the total circulating red cell count or a decrease in the quality or quantity of hemoglobin
What do anemias result from
blood loss
impaired RBC production
increased RBC destruction
Two categories of anemia
megaloblastic and microcytic-hypochromic
megaloblastic anemia
cells are challenged to make DNA, RNA still produced at normal speed. RBCs have an abnormal nucleus and the cell itself grows larger before the nucleus can accommodate. RBCs prematurely die
Microcytic-hypochromic anemia
abnormally small erythrocytes that contain unusually amounts of hemoglobin.
Most common anemia: iron deficient anemia
-cytic refers to
cell size
-chromic refers to
hemoglobin content
Anisocytosis is defined as
RBCs that are developed in various SIZES
Poikilocytosis is defined as
RBCs that are developed in various SHAPES
Pathophysiology related to anemia
reduced oxygen carrying capacity of RBCs — causes hypoxia
Symptoms of mild anemia
problems for the individual during physical exertion
Symptoms of progressive anemia
compensation in cardiovascular, respiratory, and hematologic systems
Pernicious Anemia
type of megaloblastic anemia caused by B12 deficiency. Often associated with autoimmune issues and gastritis
Pathophysiology related to pernicious anemia
absence of the intrinsic factor in the gut
Environmental conditions that contribute to chronic gastritis
excessive alcohol or hot tea ingestion and smoking
Clinical manifestations of pernicious anemia
weakness fatigue paresthesias of feet, fingers difficulty walking loss of appetite, abdominal pain weight loss sore tongue beefy red glossitis hepatomegaly (liver enlargement) and right sided heart failure splenomegaly (spleen enlargement)
Folate Deficiency anemia
caused by a deficiency in folic acid (folate)
Does the body store folate for later use
no
clinical manifestations of folate deficiency
severe cheilosis (scales and fissure of the lips and corners of the mouth)
stomatitis(inflammation of the mouth)
painful ulcerations of the buccal mucosa and tongue (burning mouth syndrome)
dysphagia
flatulence (large amounts of gas)
diarrhea
causes of iron deficiency anemia
dietary deficiency
impaired absorption
increased need/demand
chronic blood loss
IDA is a hypochromic-microcytic anemia (true or false)
true
early symptoms of IDA
nonspecific (vague)
- fatigue
- weakness
- shortness of breath
- pale earlobes, palms, and conjuctivae
progressive symptoms of IDA
brittle, thin, coarsely ridged and spoon shaped fingernails
burning mouth syndrome
soreness along with redness of the tongue and burning
difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
posthemorrhagic anemia
normocytic-normochromic anemia caused by acute blood loss