Anaemia General Flashcards
1
Q
Classic symptoms of anaemia?
A
Fatigue Dyspnoea Faintness Palpitations Anorexia Headache Tinnitus Angina (if pre existing CAD or intermittent claudication)
2
Q
Classic signs of anaemia?
A
PALLOR eg of conjunctiva
Severe anaemia may have hyperdynamic circulation eg Tachycardia Murmurs Cardiac enlargement Heart failure
3
Q
Causes of microcytic anaemia?
A
Iron deficient anaemia
Thalassemia
Sideroblastic anaemia
4
Q
Causes of normocytic anaemia?
A
Acute blood loss Bone marrow failure Renal failure Pregnancy Anaemia of chronic disease (or microcytosis) Haemolysis (or macrocytosis) Hypothyroidism (or macrocytosis)
5
Q
Causes of macrocytic anaemia?
A
B12 deficiency Folate deficiency Alcohol XS or liver disease Haemolysis eg with reticulocytisis Hypothyroidism Cytotoxics eg hydroxycarbamide Drugs eg azathioprine Myelodysplastic syndromes
6
Q
When is a blood transfusion indicated in anaemia?
A
Acute anaemia eg haemorrhage with peptic ulcer where Hb falls below 70 g/l
Severe anaemia with Heart Failure - give transfusion slowly with 10-40mg furosemide with alternate units
7
Q
Equation to calculate Red Cell Distribution Width?
A
Standard deviation of MCV/ mean MCV multiplied by 100
