Anemia

Question 1

What is the General patho of anemia

Answer 1

An abonor all RBC number or abnormal RBC structure and function leads to a decreased oxygen carrying capacity which leads to hypoxia

Question 2

What are manifestations of anemia? Moderate ones? Severe ones?

Answer 2

Hypoxia
Moderate: dyspnea, palpitations, chronic fatigue
Severe: chronic exhaustion, excessive palpitation, profound weakness, dizziness, headache, sensitivity to cold

Question 3

What are complications of anemia?

Answer 3

Metabolic acidosis

Question 4

What types of anemia are there?

Answer 4

Iron deficiency 
Vitamin b12 and folks acid deficiency 
Pernicious anemia 
Aplastic anemia 
Hemolytic anemia 
Hemorrhagic anemia 
Sickle cell anemia

Question 5

What causes iron deficiency anemia?

Answer 5

Dietary deficiency of iron

Question 6

In iron deficiency anemia - why is oxygen unable to properly bind to oxygen?

Answer 6

There is inadequate iron intake which leads to impaired hemoglobin synthesis

Question 7

Can a CBC be used to detect iron deficiency anemia?

Answer 7

No, because the number of RBC is normal it is just the structure that is abnormal

Question 8

What is the treatment for iron deficiency anemia?

Answer 8

Treat the underlying cause for the deficiency
Iron PO 4-6 months
Oxygen

Question 9

Hypoxia always leads to which symptom?

Answer 9

Dyspnea

Question 10

How does a vitamin b12 and folic acid deficiency contribute to anemia?

Answer 10

It results in abnormal DNA synthesis and cell division which leads to inspired RBC, WBC and platelets

Question 11

What sort of problem results in b12 and folic acid deficiency anemia in terms of the platelets?

Answer 11

Coagulation problems

Question 12

What is the treatment for b12 and folic acid deficiency anemia?

Answer 12

Vitamin b12 and folic acid PO

Oxygen

Question 13

What is the cause of pernicious anemia?

Answer 13

A damaged gastric mucosa leads to no intrinsic factor being made and intrinsic factor is necessary for b12 to be absorbed

Question 14

What is the treatment for pernicious anemia?

Answer 14

High dose b12 PO is enough for passive absorption across the mucosa without any intrinsic factor
Or intramuscular b12 if neuro symptoms appear

Question 15

What is so different of aplastic anemia from all other types of anemia?

Answer 15

There is no structural deficit as all components of hemoglobin are present

Question 16

What causes aplastic anemia?

Answer 16

A bone marrow failure which affects all blood cells

Question 17

What is the etiology of aplastic anemia?

Answer 17

1/3 autoimmune, radiation and chemotherapy

2/3 idiopathic

Question 18

What is the treatment for aplastic anemia?

Answer 18

Treat the underlying cause if possible (if it’s due to radiation withdraw radiation)
Transfusions for idiopathic kinda
Marrow transplant in more severe cases
Oxygen

Question 19

What causes hemolytic anemia?

Answer 19

Premature or excessive hemolysis

Question 20

What is the etiology of hemolytic anemia?

Answer 20

Either acquired (autoimmunity or chemotherapy drugs) or genetic (like thalassemia)

Question 21

What is thalassemia?

Answer 21

A group of diseases that causes defect in synthesis of Hgb therefore RBCs get destroyed

Question 22

What are manifestations of hemolytic anemia?

Answer 22

Jaundice (from excessive hemolysis and bilirubin concentrations that liver cannot handle)
Splenomegaly (because of excessive hemolysis)
Hepatomegaly (because of excessive hemolysis)

Question 23

What is the etiology of anemia?

Answer 23

Defective erythropoiesis
Excessive hemolysis/premature hemolysis
Excessive loss (hemorrhage)

Question 24

What are the treatments for hemolytic anemia? (6)

Answer 24

O2
Treat underlying cause 
Transfusion 
Steroid (dampen hemolysis)
Increase renal fx (precipitation of debris in rental tubule d/t hemolysis)
Splenectomy

Question 25

What is an acute cause for hemorrhagic anemia?

Answer 25

Rapid blood loss

Question 26

What are chronic causes of hemorrhagic anemia? (4)

Answer 26

Prolonged/heavy menses
Bleeding peptic ulcers
Cancers lesions in GI tract
Hemorrhoids

Question 27

What is the treatment for hemorrhagic anemia?

Answer 27

Eliminate the cause