anemia Flashcards
hemoglobin
RBC’s contain several hundred hgb which transport oxygen
oxygen binds to heme on hgb
reversibly binds oxygen and CO2 for transport
*can also bind carbon MONoxide - hgb binds more tightly to CO and won’t let go of it easily
how is carbon monoxide poisoning treated?
100% O2 –> possible ventilation, as well
what happens if there are high levels of CO in the environment?
oxygen will be displaced off the hgb and molecules will become saturated with carbon monoxide –> people can asphyxiate (deprive/die from lack of O2) bc can’t get O2 onto Hgb
what else can Hgb bind to?
can bind to other substances because of the protein
glucose permanently binds to hgb –> HgbA1C: avg over 3 months bc RBC life is 120 days, so gives us idea of glucose control
HbO2 –> HbO8
refers to how many O2 are bound (at the iron site) to the Hgb
more O2, the more red/saturated
diseases of RBCs
less oxygen is able to be transported to the tissues, which means cells cannot function normally
if decreased O2 supply continues for prolonged period of time –> reduced O2 levels & tissues can begin to die (need O2 for energy)
plasma
55% total blood volume
91% water
7% blood proteins (fibrinogen, albumin, globulin)
2% nutrients (amino acids, sugars, lipids) - hormones (erythropoietin, insulin, etc.) - electrolytes (Na, K, Ca, etc.)
cellular components in blood
45% total blood volume
Buffy coat: WBC ~7000-9000, platelets ~250,000
RBC: ~5,000,000
absolute anemia
reduced RBCs (# is smaller)
relative anemia
(aka dilutional anemia)
increase in plasma without a change in RBCs
plasma volume is increased, so it looks like there are less RBC
OR
decrease in plasma volume, makes it appear like more RBC’s
polycythemia
too many RBC’s
decrease amount of plasma
causes of anemia
iron deficiency
maturation disorders
hemolytic anemias
acute bleeding
marrow damage (decrease RBC, WBC, platelets)
inflammation
neoplasia
chronic disease
hemolytic anemia
autoimmune disease where antibodies attack our own RBC & destroy them
how does kidney disease affect anemia
kidneys no longer secrete erythropoietin, thus bone marrow is not stimulated to produce RBC’s
S/S of anemia
pallor, fatigue, impaired cognition/memory, SOB, increased HR and RR, coldness, leg cramps, dizziness, low BP, depression, malaise (general feeling of discomfort)
S/S of severe anemia
chest pain/angina
heart attack
worsening CHF
fainting
clinical manifestations of mild anemia
may have no symptoms or not be recognized
clinical manifestations of mild-moderate anemia
fatigue (decrease O2 to tissues –> decreased ATP –> increase lactic acid)
weakness
tachycardia
dyspnea
clinical manifestations of moderate-severe anemia
increases HR, RR
hypotension, pallor, faintness
cardiovascular symptoms (esp w/ exertion)
trend with anemia and its effect: oxygen to muscles
trend: decreased
effect: weakness
trend with anemia and its effect: energy production
decreased
fatigue
trend with anemia and its effect: peripheral circulation (to skin)
blood is redistributed (compensatory) to vital organs
pallor
trend with anemia and its effect: cardiac output
increased (compensatory)
increased HR, palpitations
trend with anemia and its effect: secretion of erythropoietin
increased
bone pain
trend with anemia and its effect: cardiac muscle
hypoxia
chest pain, heart failure
trend with anemia and its effect: overall oxygenation
hypoxia
dyspnea, increased RR
ideal Hct levels for male and females
male: 45-52
female: 37-48