Anemias Flashcards
Anemia
- a condition in which blood has decreased RBCs or decreased Hgb
- Aplastic, pernicious, anemia of chronic disease, thalassemias
Review Page 906 Blood Cells
Red Blood Cells
Red Blood Cells
- Iron Stores and Metabolism
- Vitamin B12 and Folate Metabolsim
Words to know
- Erythrocyte (RBC)
- Erythropoiesis (process which produces RBCs)
- Erythropoietin (produced in kidney; stimulate RBC production
- Hematocrit (% of RBC)
- Hematopoiesis (b
- Hemoglobin
- Red Blood Cell
- Reticulocytes (immature red blood cells)
RED BLOOD CELLS BY THE NUMBERS
- One RBC contains 1 billion molecules of oxygen
- RBCs take 20 seconds to circulate the body one time
- RBC circulate for 120 days
- There are millions of RBC in one drop of blood
- 3 million RBCβs are made each second
Anemia- what is it
- reduction in either:
β The number of RBCs
β Amount of hemoglobin - Conditions in which blood has a lower than normal amount of RBCS or Hgb
- Hypoproliferativeβ defect/decrease in production of RBCs
β Caused by iron, vitamin B 12, or Folic acid deficiency, decreased erythropoietin production (kidneys), cancer - Hemolytic: excess destruction of RBCs
β Caused by altered erythropoiesis, or other causes such as hypersplenism, drug β induced or autoimmune processes, mechanical heart valves - Bleeding: may also be caused by blood loss
Who is at risk:
- Mild anemia is common & treatable
- Higher risk:
β Women during menstrual periods & pregnancy
β People who donate blood frequently
β Those who do not get enough iron or certain vitamins
β Chronic inflammatory conditions Autoimmune disorders
β- Causes body to make fewer RBCs
β Taking certain medicines/treatments
β- chemotherapy
Types of anemias
Hemolytic
- Anemias Resulting from Increased Destruction of RBCs
- Sickle cell disease
- Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD) anemia
- Immunohemolytic anemia
Anemias Resulting from Decreased Production of RBCs (Hypoproliferative Anemias)
Hypoproliferative Anemias:
- Iron deficiency anemia
- Anemia in renal disease
- Anemia of inflammation
- Aplastic anemia
- Megaloblastic anemia
- Folic acid deficiency
- Vitamin B12 deficiency
Anemia S/S:
- S/S depends on the rapidity of the development of the anemia, duration of the anemia, metabolic requirements of the patient, & concurrent problems
- Manifestations will depend on severity of anemia & how long theyβve had anemia
Central: - Fatigue
- dizziness
- fainting
Blood vessels: - Low blood pressure
Heart: - Palpations
- Rapid heart rate
- Chest pain/angina
- Heart attack
Spleen: Enlargement
Eyes: Yellowing
Skin: - Paleness
- coolness
- yellowing
- Sensitivity to cold
- Slowed capillary refill
- Tongue changes
- Nail changes
Respiratory: SOB
Muscular: weakness
G.I.: changed stool color
Assessment
Mild anemia
- Hgb 10-14g
- Usually asymptomatic
- Symptoms usually follow strenuous exertion: palpitations, dyspnea, diaphoresis
Assessment
Moderate anemia
- Dyspnea
- Palpitations
- Diaphoresis
- Chronic fatigue
Assessment
Severe anemia
- Dizziness, syncope
- Pale, exhausted all of the time
- Profound weakness
- Severe palpitations
- Sensitivity to cold
- Loss of appetite
- HA
- Cardiac complications: HF, angina
Care of the client with anemia
- Identify the cause of anemia
- Frequent rest periods
- High protein, high iron, high vitamin diet
- Monitor during blood transfusions
β What do you remember about blood transfusions? - Protect from infection
Complications from anemia
- arrhythmias
- Enlarged heart
- Heart failure
- Infections
- Bleeding
- Neurologic
Aplastic anemia - rare but serious disorder
- Disorder in which the bodyβs bone marrow doesnβt make enough new blood cells.
- Disorder in which all formed elements of the blood are depressed (bone marrow doesnβt make enough new blood cells)
- Usually occurs with leukopenia & thrombocytopenia (together this is called pancytopenia)
- Causes: often cause is unknown
β long-term exposure to toxic agents (pesticides, arsenic)
β radiation & chemo
β viral infections (hepatitis, Epstein-Barr, HIV) Autoimmune disorders (lupus & rheumatoid arthritis) - Manifestations of severe anemia: Cardiac
- Diagnostic Tests: CBC
- Severe macrocytic anemia, WBCs, PLTs