Anaemia

Question 1

What is the definition of Anaemia and what are the clinical consequences

Answer 1

Hb concentrations fall below a defined level
clinical consequences: insufficient O2 delivery
causes: decreased Hb content, decreased RBC, and changed Hb doesn’t carry sufficient O2.

Question 2

What are the signs and symptoms of anaemia

Answer 2

Lethargy, SOB, palpitations, headache, worse if acute onset.

signs: pail, tachypnoea, tachycardia.

Question 3

What are 5 broad causes

Answer 3

Bleeding, deficiency in vital components, bone marrow dysfunction, poor 02 utilization, haemolytic (decreased RBC lifespan or prone to lysis)

Question 4

What is the most common type of anaemia

Answer 4

Iron deficiency

Question 5

What are the causes of iron deficiency

Answer 5

Bleeding: menstrual, GI malignancy, GI peptic ulceration

Question 6

anaemia is categorized by RBC size, what are the 3 types

Answer 6

microcytic (small)- iron deficiency
macrocytic (large)- B12 and folate deficiency
normocytic (normal)- renal failure, anaemia of chronic disease

Question 7

What is megaloblastic anaemia

Answer 7

Macrocytic, due to deficiency of vitamin b12, folate

Question 8

What is pernicious anaemia

Answer 8

Cannot absorb B12 in terminal ileum, autoimmune, deficiency of intrinsic factors, and treated with B12 injections.

Question 9

What is thalassemia

Answer 9

Insufficient production of Hb, either alpha or beta.

clinical features: enlarges spleen, liver, and heart, bones may be misshapen.