anemia Flashcards
Patho for anemia
decreased RBC, HGB, HCT
iron deficiency: inadequate iron intake
pernicious anemia: inability to absorb vitamin B12; loss of intrinsic factor
aplastic anemia: pancytopenia
folic acid deficiency: adequate folic acid intake
cause of anemia
- defect in bone marrow
- loss of RBCs (hemorrhage, bleeding, hemolytic process)
- hereditary disorders
- inadequate nutrition
disease course and expected findings of anemia
pallor of ears, pale, spooning of nails, SOB, DOE, fatigue, beefy red tongue
iron deficiency: pallor, glossitis, cheilitis
pernicious: parasthesia, loss of balance, beefy red tongue
aplastic: fever, infections, bleeding
folic acid: weight loss, slow onset
risk factors for anemia
blood loss, hemolysis, inadequate diet, bone marrow suppression, age
iron deficient: adolescents, vegetarians, PUD, OA
pernicious: OA, gastric diseases, proton pump inhibitors
aplastic: radiation therapy, meds, idiopathic
folic acid: poor nutrition, malabsorption, hemodialysis
labs and diagnostics
- CBC count
- mean corpuscular volume (MCV): size of rbc
- mean corpuscular hgb (MCH): determines amount of hgb per rbc
- mean corpuscular hgb concentration (MCHC): hgb amount relative to size of cell
- reticulocytes: immature rbc
- serum ferritin: iron storage
- serum folate: needed for erythropoiesis
- serum iron: creates hemoglobin
- homocysteine: amino acid ; needs vitamin B12