Cardiology and Hematology Flashcards
What are common causes of primary hypertension in the pediatric population?
Obesity
Lack of exercise
Poor nutrition
Explain what the reticulocyte count is.
It is a measure of the production of new red blood cells by the body. Reticulocytes are immature red blood cells. When RBC production increases to offset blood loss, more reticulocytes are released into the circulation. An insufficient level may indicate a problem with the RBC producing elements of the body.
What does FFP consist of? What is it used for?
It contains all of the clotting factors (V, VI, IX).
It an be used in the treatment of disseminated intravascular coagulation and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, disorders that cause excessive bleeding.
What are erythrocytes?
RBC’s
Lifespan of 120 days
Transports Hgb (carries O2)
Regulated by tissue oxygenation and renal erythropoietin which stimulates bone marrow RBC production
What is iron deficiency anemia?
Causes: inadequate supply of dietary iron, decreased absorption, blood loss, excessive demands for growth
Most prevalent nutritional disorder in US
At risk: low income children, adolescents, premmies
Therapy: nutrition, iron supplementation
– Premmies do not get sufficient iron from breast milk
What is sickle cell disease?
A defect in Hgb causes RBC to change shape during times of deoxygenation; changes in shape may result in occlusion of blood vessels
sickled RBC
Aggravating factors: hypoxia, dehydration, fever, cold, stress, fatigue,unpredictable at times
Complications: vaso-occlusive episodes, acute chest syndrome. splenic sequestration, bacteremia, stroke, aplastic crisis
What is Vaso-occlusive episodes (VOE)
A complication of sickle cell disease
Sickled cells obstruct blood vessels causing occlusion, ischemia, possibly necrosis
S/S: PAIN, swelling, limited ROM, priapism
Therapy: Bedrest, hydration, analgesia, PRBC transfusion, O2, antibiotics PRN
What is acute chest syndrome?
A complication of sickle cell disease
Clinically similar to pneumonia with more serious complications such as anemia
Causes: infection, atelectasis, intrapulmonary sickling of RBC’s, fat embolism
What is splenic sequestration?
A complication of sickle cell disease
Pooling and trapping of RBC’s and platelets in spleen causes spleen engorgement and pain
S/S: abd pain, acute anemia, sudden weakness, pallor, tachycardia, CV compromise
What is aplastic crisis?
A complication of sickle cell disease
Caused by parvovirus
Cessation of RBC production from bone marrow
S/S: increased fatigue, dyspnea, severe anemia, fever, URI sx, pain
What is aplastic anemia?
Decrease in formed elements of the blood
Causes: 1o (congenital), 2o (infection, hepatitis, irradiation, drugs, idiopathic
Therapy: supportive, restoration of function of marrow
What is hemophilia?
Bleeding disorder caused by deficiency of clotting factor
Causes: congenital
S/S: prolonged bleeding, bruising, pain, swelling, H/A
Complications: head bleed, hemarthrosis (joint bleed)
therapy: safer environment, reduce incidences that may cause bleeding, factor replacment
What is idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura?
Excessive destruction of platelets by the spleen
S/S: <20,000 platelets, easy bruising
therapy: supportive, limit activity, corticosteroids, IVIG, splenectomy
