Anaemia

Question 1

anaemia

Answer 1

reduction in haemoglobin in blood compared to normal values in that population

Question 2

what blood test can give indication of cause of anaemia

Answer 2

MCV - size of rbcs

Question 3

why does marrow failure cause anaemia

Answer 3

reduced number of rbc’s therefore less rbcs to package haemoglobin into

Question 4

why do deficiency states of haematinics cause anaemia

Answer 4

reduced haematinics means reduced rbc’s therefore reduced haemoglobin

Question 5

Name the 3 main haematinics

Answer 5

iron
vit b12
folate ( folic acid made by manufacturers and converted to folate by body)

Question 6

where is all forms of iron absorbed by the body

Answer 6

transporter systems in the intestinal cell wall

Question 7

what form must non heme iron be converted to to be absorbed by the body

Answer 7

2+

Question 8

what iron is easiest for the body to absorb

Answer 8

heme iron

Question 9

achlorydia

Answer 9

disease seeing lack of stomach acid therefore non heme 3+ iron cant be converted to 2+

Question 10

iron food sources

Answer 10

meat and leafy greens

Question 11

vitamin B12 food sources

Answer 11

milk/dairy and meat

Question 12

how is vitB12 absorbed by the body

Answer 12

intrinsic factor (secreted by stomach) binds to vitb12 and this complex passes to terminal ileum where it is absorbed via a transporting sytsem

Question 13

folate food sources

Answer 13

leafy greens, seeds and nuts

Question 14

during pregnancy what haematinic is recommended to be taken in supplemements

Answer 14

folic acid - deficiences can lead to neural tube defects

Question 15

thalassemia

Answer 15

inherited condition seeing a mutation to globin chains meaning little to no haemoglobin is produced

Question 16

sickle cell anaemia

Answer 16

must have 2 copies of gene to have disease (if only one known as sickle cell trait)
abnormal shaped rbc’s that have a shorter lifespan and/or can blck capillaries leading to tissue ischaemia

Question 17

why is splenomegaly sometimes seen in patients with abnormal rbc’s

Answer 17

splenomegaly = increased spleen size

abnormal rbc’s removed by spleen therefore increased activity may increase size

Question 18

reticulocytes

Answer 18

almost mature rbc’s

Question 19

smooth tongue

Answer 19

loss of tongue papillae , assosciated with iron deficiency , commonly seen alongside angular chelitis

Question 20

beefy tongue

Answer 20

swollen looking tongue associated with vit B 12 deficiency

Question 21

tachycardia

Answer 21

fast heart rate

Question 22

common symptoms of anaemia

Answer 22

tired, weak , dizzy, shortness of breath

Question 23

why is tachycardia sometimes seen in patients with anaemia

Answer 23

body is trying to maintain O2 delivery with less Hb available so having to pump faster

Question 24

endoscopy

Answer 24

used to examine upper GIT

Question 25

colonoscopy

Answer 25

used to examine lower GIT

Question 26

what is a common cause of anaemia in the UK that patients are often unaware of

Answer 26

GIT blood loss 
occult bleeding (hidden bleeding)

Question 27

why might renal function by examined when looking for anaemia causes

Answer 27

erythropoietin produced in kidneys which stimulates rbc production

Question 28

what mouth changes can sometimes be seen in patients with deficiency states of haematinics

Answer 28

candidiasis 
recurrent oral ulceration 
mucosal atrophy (thinning)
beefy tongue 
smooth tongue

Question 29

pernicious anaemia

Answer 29

vit B12 deficiency