Alterations Of Hematological Function Flashcards
Anemia
Abnormal decrease in RBCs and/or hemoglobin concentration reducing the ability of blood to carry adequate amounts of oxygen to tissues
Lab evaluation of anemia - Hemoglobin (Hgb or Hb)
Average amt of hemoglobin in a given volume of blood (g/dL)
Clinically, anemia is usually defined by a hemoglobin less than 14 g/dL in males, less than 12 g/dL in females
Lab evaluation of anemia - Hematocrit (HTC)
Percentage of a given volume of blood that is comprised of RBCs
Classification of anemia by cause - inadequate erythopoiesis
Erythropoiesis - production of RBCs in bone marrow.
Doesn’t produce enough blood in bone marrow
Classification of anemia by cause - loss of RBCs from the circulation (hemorrhage)
Blood transfusions can prevent some anemia
Classification of anemia by cause - Shortened RBC life span within the circulation (hemolysis)
RBCs are dying sooner than normal
RBCs live 120 days
Cells are lysing prematurely
Classification of anemia by cause - dilutional anemia
Not a true anemia.
Extra water or plasma that dilutes the RBCs or hemoglobin
Fluid overload
Classification of anemia by cell morphology - cell size - macrocytic
Larger than normal
Misshapen
Vitamin b12 and folic deficiency
Classification of anemia by cell morphology - cell size - normocytic
Lost a liter or two of RBCs, but cells remain normal
A cute hemorrhaging
Some RBCs may be lysed
Classification of anemaia by cell morphology - cell size - microcytic
Low iron
Low hemoglobin
Laboratory evaluation of rbc size
Mean cell volume (MCV) - average volume of the RBCs
Gives number of all RBCs and tells if its below, normal or high numbers
measured in (fL) “quadrillionth”
Hemoglobin content - normochromic
Chromic - color
Normal amt of hemoglobin would keep them normally red
Hemoglobin content - hypochromic
Pale on the inside of cells
Not as much hemoglobin
Laboratory evaluation of hemoglobin content
Mean cell hemoglobin (MCH)
CNS & musculoskeletal manifestations
Caused by decreased o2 delivery to CNS and skeletal muscles
- Fatigue and weakness
- Irritability and confusion
- Parasthesias (numbness and tingling)
Skin and mucus membrane manifestations
Pallor - pale skin, races w darker skin look inside of mucus membranes
Cardia manifestations
Caused by decreased o2 delivery to cardiac muscle
Chest pain
Heart failure
Pulmonary
Caused by hypoxia stimulation of respiratory centers in brain stem
Increased rate and depth of respirations
Dyspnea (shortness of breath) - when ruled out all other respiratory problems
Gastrointestinal
Caused by decreased o2 delivery to the digestive tract
Abdominal pain; nausea/vomiting
Decreased bowel activity
Iron deficiency anemia (IDA)
Epidemiology
Most frequently diagnosed anemia in US/worldwide
Incidence higher in females (4-6%) than males (4%)
Iron physiology - dietary sources
Meat, seafood, leafy greens, nuts and seeds, dried fruit, fortified grains/cereals
Iron physiology - absorption
In duodenum; iron absorption increased by vit C
Iron physiology - storage
Stored as ferritin in liver and bone marrow
up to 6 months of iron storage
Causes of IDA - chronic bleeding
Bleeding from gastrointestinal tract - peptic ulcer disease; gastric or colon cancer. *# 1 cause of IDA
Bleeding from urinary tract (hematuria)
Menstruation in women
Causes of IDA - inadequate dietary iron
Populations at risk
Vegetarians: unless diet includes iron-rich food or supplements
Pregnant women: increased demands on maternal iron stores
Infants fed cow’s milk: iron is in breast milk and infant formula, NOT cow’s milk
Young children: increased nutrient demand w growth, limited diet
Adolescents: growth spurts, poor diet, beginning of female menstruation
Elderly: decreased meat intake, decreased iron absorption
Causes of IDA - malabsorption of iron
Inflammatory bowl diseases (Chrons disease)
Duodenal ulcers
Patho and lab evaluation if IDA
Gradual depletion of iron stores in liver and bone marrow - decrease in plasma ferritin levels
Iron deficient erythropoiesis begins and small, Hgb-deficient RBCs enter circulation - decrease in the MVC of RBCs and decrease in hemoglobin and HCT - development of microcytic hypochromic anemia
Negative feedback to bone marrow results in decreased erythropoiesis - manifested eventually a low rbc count
Low plasma iron -> decreased production of RBCs
Vitamin b12 deficiency anemia
Vitamin b12 anemia has historically been known as “pernicious anemia”. This means destructive