Blood and Nutrition Flashcards
Which supplement is advised to take to a patient with sickle cell disease?
Folate (folic acid)
What complications are associated with sickle cell disease?
Anaemia, leg ulcers, renal failure, increased susceptibility to infection.
What is given to sick cell patients to prevent infection?
Pneumoccocal vaccine, hep b, flu vaccine, and lifelong prophylactic penicillin to reduce the risk of infection
What drug can reduce the frequency of sickle cell crises?
Hydroxycarbamide
Who is G6PD deficiency common in?
Individuals from africa, asia, the med region and the midddle east, more common in males than females.
What are the individuals with G6PD deficiency susceptible to developing what?
Acute haemolytic anaemia
Which foods can cause acute haemolytic anaemia?
Fava beans, broad beans, fresh fava beans
State the drugs with definite risk of haemolysis in most G6PD-deficient individuals?
Dapsone and other sulfones, fluoroquinolones, nitrofurantoin, rasburicase, sulfonamides
What is used to treat anaemia associated with erythropoeitin deficiency in chronic renal failure?
Epoetins
What are the adverse effects associated with antithymocyte globulin treatment?
fever, rash, fluid retention, rigours, acute resp distress, anaphylaxis, serum sickness. Managed with pred
Which erythropoietin is used to treat anaemia in preterm neonates of low-birth weight?
Epoetin beta
Which erythropoietin has a longer half-life and can be administered less frequently?
Darbepoetin
State the MHRA warning for epoetins?
Steven-johns syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis
Advise patients of symptoms of severe skin reactions, stop treatment if: They develop widespread rash / blistering
What are the symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia?
Lethargy, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, pale skin
What are the specific side effects with epoetins?
Hypertensive crisis has occured
pure red cell aplasia has occurred, must discontinue tx
What is important to rule out with anaemia?
Any serious underlying cause
Stat the conditions in which prophylaxis is required with iron?
Malabsorption, gastrectomy, menorrhagia, haemodialysis, pregnancy, premature infants
What patient counselling advice do you give to patients taking iron?
Take with or after food, and take with glass of orange juice to aid absorption
When are preparations with iron and folic acids given during pregnancy?
To women who are at high risk of developing folic acid and iron deficiency
State the MHRA advice for intravenous iron?
Serious hypersensitivity reactions have been associated.
Caution with every IV dose
Monitor for 30 mins after each injection High risk in allergies
Avoid in pregnancy, especially first trimester
What are the specific side effects with oral iron?
Can be constipating and can lead to faecal impaction. Can exacerbate diarrhoea. Best absorbed on an empty stomach, may colour stools
How is neutropenia treated?
Granulocyte colony stimulating factors eg filgrastim
When is compensation for potassium loss especially necessary
those taking digoxin or anti-arrythmic drugs, where potassium depletion can induce arrythmias
patietns where secondary hyperaldosteronism occurs
patients with severe loss of k+ in faeces
What is recommended for prevention of hypokalaemia due to diuretics such as furosemide and thiazides?
Potassium sparing diuretics eg epelerone