Anaemia 1

Question 1

What are the signs of anaemia? (6)

Answer 1

Pallor, tachycardia, bounding pulse, systolic flow murmur, cardiac failure, retinal haemorrhage

Question 2

What are the symptoms of anaemia? (5)

Answer 2

Tiredness, fainting, shortness of breath, worsening of angina, palpitations

Question 3

Pallor is an unreliable sign- what should you check?

Answer 3

Conjunctivae, palmar creases, koilonychia

Question 4

What can decrease erythrocyte production?

Answer 4

Iron, B12, folate deficiency, marrow infiltration, chronic disease, infections e.g HIV

Question 5

What can increase erythrocyte destruction?

Answer 5

Disorders of RBC membrane, enzymes, or haemoglobinopathies. Immune destruction.

Question 6

What factors enhance iron absorption? (5)

Answer 6

Haem iron (meat), ferrous salts, acidic pH, pregnancy, hypoxia

Question 7

What factors impair iron absorption? (5)

Answer 7

Non haem iron, ferric salts, alkaline pH, iron overload, inflammatory disorders

Question 8

What would you use to confirm anaemia?

Answer 8

Blood count, blood film, serology

Question 9

What are the causes of normocytic anaemia? (4)

Answer 9

Acute blood loss, chronic disease, cancer, haemolysis

Question 10

How do cancer and chronic disease cause anaemia?

Answer 10

Inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, TNF alpha) reduce erythrocyte lifespan and reduce the bone marrow response to EPO