Anaemia

Question 1

anaemia definition

Answer 1

anaemia is the deficiency in size or number of red blood cells or the amount of haemoglobin they contain

Question 2

values of Hb when male, female & pregnant have anaemia

Answer 2

• male - Hb < 130g/L
• female - Hb < 120g/L
• pregnancy - Hb < 110g/L

Question 3

signs & symptoms of anaemia

Answer 3

• pale skin
• shortness of breath
• dizzines
• fatigue
• low blood pressure
• chest pain
• heart attack

Question 4

causes of anaemia

Answer 4

low rate of RBC production
* low epo
* hormone deficiency diseases

RBCs produced are poor quality
* B12 deficiency
* folate deficiency
* sickle cell

RBCs dont’ survive 120 days
* chronic haemorrhaging

Question 5

classification of anaemia according to MCV

Answer 5

• mircrocytic anaemia : MCV < 80
• normocytic anaemia : MCV 80 - 100
• macrocytic anaemia : MCV >100

Question 6

microcytic anaemias examples

Answer 6

• iron deficiency
• thalassaemia

Question 7

normocytic anaemias examples

Answer 7

• marrow failure
• hypothyroidism

Question 8

macrocytic anaemias examples

Answer 8

• megaloblastic anaemia
• liver disease

Question 9

iron deficiency anaemia

Answer 9

• most common type of anaemia
• only starts to develop after iron stores have been depleted
• all other requirements present, too little iron

Question 10

causes of iron deficiency anaemia

Answer 10

• habitual blood loss - heavy menstrual bleeding ; internal bleeding ( e.g. cancer )
• poor diet - unhealthy diet ; failure to meet increased demand during pregnancy
• inability to absorb iron - surgery ; drugs

Question 11

signs of iron deficiency anaemia

Answer 11

• brittle nails
• fatigue
• chest pain
• pale skin
• headache
• smooth tongue
• cold hands and feet

Question 12

risks of iron deficiency anaemia

Answer 12

• heart failure
• hair loss
• growth impaairment
• cognitive impairment
• raised platelet count
• rectal lesions
• restless legs

Question 13

categories of people at higher risk of iron deficient anaemia :

Answer 13

• pregnancy
• vegan diet
• haemodialysis
• gastrectomy
• coeliac disease
• NSAIDS use

Question 14

iron deficiency anaemia management for patients with cardiovascular compromise

Answer 14

packed red cells transfusion

Question 15

iron deficiency anaemia management - oral pills

Answer 15

• reticulocyte count peaks in 1-2 weels
• Hb should rise by 20g/L in 3-4 weeks
• iron stores full after 6 months