Blood Disorders and Shock

Question 1

What Is Anaemia

Answer 1

is defined by having abnormally low levels of haemoglobin in the blood.

Less than 12g of haemoglobin per decilitre in females, less than 13g per decilitre in males, and less than 10g per decilitre in children

Question 2

What are regular symptoms for Anaemia

Answer 2

tiredness or fatigue
poor muscle performance
Dyspnoea
Dizziness/light-headedness (pre-syncope)
More pale skin.

Question 3

Define Iron Deficiency Anaemia

Answer 3

Insufficient dietary iron = insufficient haemoglobin = erythrocytes are shrunken*

Question 4

Symptoms of Iron deficiency Anaemia

Answer 4

Same as regular Anaemia

Question 5

What are some causes of Iron Def Anaemia

Answer 5

Chronic blood loss - heavy periods/stomach ulcers/excessive blood donation/ regular nosebleeds

Poor balanced diet / malnourishment

Question 6

Define what B9 or B12 DEF Anaemia is

Answer 6

Caused by insufficient dietary Vit B9/B12

Meaning :erythrocytes (blood cell made in the bone marrow& found in blood) do NOT develop and are immature and swollen.

example of this - Macrocytic anaemia

Question 7

Name some conditions that reduce B9/B12 absorption from diet

Answer 7

autoimmune disorders
digestive systems conditions (Crohn’s disease, coeliac disease etc.)
some medications
some cancers
alcohol abuse.

Question 8

How is B9/B12 Anaemia treated

Answer 8

B9 or B12 (sometimes via injections), and/or treat the underlying issues with absorbance.

Question 9

How to treat/manage Iron DEF Anaemia

Answer 9

Can be treated with increasing iron in the diet, or iron supplements/tablets.

Question 10

Define what Sickle Cell Anaemia is

Answer 10

A genetic haemoglobinopathy (Hereditary).

Patient have a gene that encodes faulty kind of Haemoglobin cells are shaped as sickle form strands. (causing less surface area for gas-exchange etc)

Meaning the erythrocytes look similar to OLD RBC so these get broken down quickly ‘got rid off’ causing low RBC count.

Question 11

If NOT managed what can sickle cell anaemia lead to

Answer 11

Vaso-occlusive crisis

Question 12

What does Sickle cell anaemia cause

Answer 12

Reduce or block blood flow through a vessel leading to :
Ischemia
if severe ischemia-injury-infarction-necrosis

Question 13

Thalassemia

Answer 13

problem making haemoglobin all together leading to increased clearance of RBC.

Two types:
Alpha thalassemia - production of the alpha subunit of Hb is disrupted.

Beta thalassemia - production of the beta subunit of Hb is disrupted.

Question 14

Define Alpha Thalassemia

Answer 14

production of the alpha subunit of Hb is disrupted

Question 15

Define Beta thalassemia

Answer 15

production of the beta subunit of Hb is disrupted.

Question 16

Symptoms of Thalassemia

Answer 16

Hyper enlarged spleen-pain and venerable to infection

Excessive erythropoiesis means ‘overuse’ of bone marrow → bone deformities and brittleness.

Question 17

Define Haemolytic Transfusion Reaction

Answer 17

Giving the wrong blood compatibility.

starting the cycle of RBC sticking together creating a net then - clotting the - ischemia and eventually unmanaged tissue death

Question 18

What causes Haemolytic Transfusion Reaction

Answer 18

When the incorrect blood even a few ML is given to the patient causing
Failing homeostasis

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (many small clots around the body)

Question 19

symptoms of Haemolytic Transfusion Reaction

Answer 19

Hives/rash (urticaria): skin covered in red, itchy/stinging, raised blotches.

Failing homeostasis: Hypotension, increased resp. rate (tachypnoea), pyrexia
Vomiting/nausea

Disseminated intravascular coagulation: formation of many blood clots throughout the body, blocking small blood vessels. What kind of shock will arise from this?
Confusingly, DIC also causes excess bleeding because clotting factors and platelets are being used up. This causes blood in urine and stools.

Question 20

Treatment of Haemolytic Transfusion Reaction

Answer 20

Immediately stop transfusion.

treat any arising symptoms

Question 21

Define Haemolytic Disease of the New-borns

Answer 21

When mother and child are RH +- opposites. mixing of the two bloods can be detrimental to both child and parent.

Question 22

When could Haemolytic Disease of the New-borns occur

Answer 22

During birth

Complications during pregnancy causing the blood to mix

Question 23

Define Haemophilia

Answer 23

An inherited disorder causing the blood to not clot properly.

Question 24

Symptoms of Haemophilia

Answer 24

Blood in the urine and/or stools

Bleeding into the joints, causing swelling and pain
Easy bruising (aka: as contusions, haematoma of the tissue), caused by trauma damaging the capillaries

Frequent bleeding of the mouth/gums and nose that does not easily stop

Question 25

What is the most dangerous complication of Haemophilia

Answer 25

severe blood loss following an injury, as the blood does not effectively clot.