Anemias

Question 1

What is anaemia?

Answer 1

• low haemoglobin in the blood

Question 2

What is the main cause of anaemia?

Answer 2

• inability to transport sufficient O2 around the body

Question 3

What are the 2 general causes of anaeimia?

Answer 3

1 - low number of RBCs

2 - low haemoglobin level in blood

Question 4

Why is iron so important in RBCs?

Answer 4

• binds O2 and haemoglobin together
• no iron means no O2

Question 5

When is ferrous sulphate prescribed?

Answer 5

• iron supplement
• prescribed when patients have low levels of iron

Question 6

How long is ferrous sulphate generally prescribed for?

Answer 6

• 3 months

Question 7

What is B9?

Answer 7

• man made version of folic acid

Question 8

Folic acid, the man made version of B9 can be prescribed if patients are low in folic acid. How long are they generaly prescribed this?

Answer 8

• 3 months

Question 9

Why are treatments for anaemia generally prescribed for 3 months?

Answer 9

• life cycle of RBS (100-120 days
• see if treatment has relieved aneamia

Question 10

What foods can vitamin B9 be found naturally?

Answer 10

• green leafy vegetables generally

Question 11

What is vitamine B12 and where can it be found?

Answer 11

• compound found in animal meat and dairy products

Question 12

How is vitamin B12 prescribed?

Answer 12

• can be prescribed orally

Question 13

If a patient has B12 deficiency due to absorption problems, how can it be administered?

Answer 13

• intravenously every 3 months

Question 14

Why is folate so important for RBCs?

Answer 14

• important for making RNA and DNA
• important for the production of cells that rapidly turn over like RBCs

Question 15

Why is vitamin B12 (also known as cobalamin) so important for RBCs?

Answer 15

• acts as a co-enzyme for folate to synthesis DNA
• if B12 is low then folate cannot function properly