Chapter 3: Data Interpretation Flashcards
Causes of anaemia (categorised by MCV)
Red blood cells:
- Microcytic (low MCV) = iron deficiency anaemia, thalassaemia, sideroblastic anaemia.
- Normocytic (normal MCV) = anaemia of chronic disease, acute blood loss, haemolytic anaemia, renal failure (chronic).
-
Macrocytic (high MCV) = B12/folate deficiency (megaloblastic anaemia), excess alcohol, liver disease (including non-alcoholic causes), hypothyroidism, “M” haematological causes (myeloproliferative, myelodysplastic, multiple myeloma).
- B12 deficiency includes pernicious anaemia.
Causes of neutrophilia
Neutrophilia (high) :
- bacterial infection
- tissue damage (inflammation/infarct/malignancy)
- *steroids*.
Causes of Neutropenia
Neutropenia (low neutrophils)
- viral infection
- chemotherapy/radiotherapy (may become neutropenic in response to infection, neutropenic sepsis)
- If neutropenic sepsis, must give urgent IV broad-spectrum antibiotics (hospital-specific).
- clozapine (antipsychotic)
- carbimazole (antithyroid).
Causes of lymphocytosis
Lymphocytosis (high lymphocyts)
- viral infection
- lymphoma
- CLL.
Causes of Thrombocytopenia
Thrombocytopenia (low platelets)
- reduced production
- viral infection
- drugs especially penicillamine in RA
- myelodysplasia, myelofibrosis, myeloma
- increased destruction
- heparin
- hypersplenism
- DIC
- ITP
- HUS/TTP
Causes of thombocytosis
Thrombocytosis (high platelets)
- reactive
- bleeding
- tissue damage e.g. infection/inflammation/malignancy
- post-splenectomy
- primary
- myeloproliferative disorders
Causes of hyponatraemia
Na+ 135-145 mmol/L
Hyponatraemia: assess fluid status first.
- Hypovolaemic
- fluid loss (D&V)
- Addison’s
- any diuretic.
- Euvolaemic
- SIADH
- small cell lung tumours, _i_nfection, abscess, drugs (carbamazepine + antipsychotics), head injury.
- psychogenic polydipsia
- hypothyroidism.
- SIADH
- Hypervolaemic
- heart failure
- renal failure
- liver failure (hypoalbuminaemia)
- nutritional failure (hypoalbuminaemia)
- thyroid failure (hypothyroidism – can be euvolaemic too).
Causes of SIADH
SIADH
- small cell lung tumours
- infection
- abscess
- drugs (carbamazepine + antipsychotics)
- head injury.
Causes of Hypernatraemia
Hypernatraemia: Causes all begin with “D”…
- Dehydration.
- Drips i.e. too much IV saline.
- Drugs e.g. effervescent tablet preparations or IV preparations with high Na+ content.
- Diabetes insipidus – opposite of SIADH.
Causes of Hypokalaemia (3.5-5mmol/L)
Hypokalaemia: DIRE
- drugs (loop + thiazide diuretics)
- inadequate intake or intestinal loss (D&V)
- renal tubular acidosis
- endocrine (Cushing’s + Conn’s syndrome).
Causes of Hyperkalaemia (3.5-5mmol/L)
Hyperkalaemia: DREAD
- drugs (K+-sparing diuretics + ACE-i) [& ARBS]
- renal failure
- endocrine (Addison’s disease)
- artefact (clotted sample)
- DKA (when insulin given to treat DKA, K+ drops so needs monitoring + replacement).
Link between urea and Hb
Ur rise = AKI or upper GI haemorrhage
Hb broken down by gastric acid into Ur, then absorbed into blood
In an upper GI H’gge you may fine a low Hb, Ur rise.
nb isolated urea rise (without Creatinine rise may be seen in pre-renal causes of renal failure e.g. DEHYDRATION)
Causes of pre-renal AKI
Pre-renal = U rise > C rise (U x 10 > C).
- Dehydration (or if severe, shock) e.g. sepsis, blood loss.
- Renal artery stenosis (often triggered by drugs e.g. ACEi or NSAIDs; renal hypoperfusion)
Causes of renal AKI
Intrinsic = U rise < C rise, no bladder or hydronephrosis.
INTRINSIC
- ischaemic (prerenal AKI → ATN)
- nephrotoxic antibiotics
- gentamicin, vancomycin + tetracyclines
- tablets
- ACE-i, NSAIDs
- radiological contrast
- injury; rhabdomyolsis
- negatively birefringent crystals (gout)
- syndromes; glomerulonephridites
- inflammation; vasculitis
- cholesterol emboli.
Causes of post renal AKI
Post-renal = U rise < C rise, bladder or hydronephrosis.
- In lumen = stone or sloughed papilla.
- In wall = tumour (renal cell, transitional cell), fibrosis.
- External pressure = benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostate cancer, lymphadenopathy, aneurysm.