Chronic Anemia Flashcards
Anemia is generally shown when the Hgb levels are
<11 g/dL
What patient population experiences anemia more commonly?
Women during reproductive years
Anemia is very common in patients with what 2 comorbid conditions?
- Cancer
- Chronic Kidney disease
What is the process stimulated by?
Erythropoietin
What do reticulocytes mature into?
Erythrocytes
What are 6 symptoms of anemia?
- Fatigue
- Lethargy
- SOB
- Headache
- Edema
- Tachycardia
True or False: Anemia is seen as a cause of disease rather than a marker
False
What are the 3 main causes of anemia?
- Decreased RBC production
- Increased RBC destruction
- Blood loss
What 3 things can cause a decrease in RBC production?
- Hypoproliferative bone marrow
- Decreased production of EPO or decreased response to EPO
- Nutritional deficiencies
What 2 things can cause hypoproliferative bone marrow?
- Cancer
- Chemotherapy
What 2 things can cause a decrease in EPO or decreased response to EPO?
- CKD
- Other inflammatory conditions
What are 3 nutritional deficiencies that can cause anemia?
- Iron
- Vitamin b12
- Folic acid
What does chemotherapy decrease the production of?
Mature erythrocytes
When are blood transfusions the most useful?
In severe anemia and life threatening anemia
What Hgb level is considered severe anemia?
<8
What Hgb level is considered life threatening anemia?
<6.6
Blood transfusions are most useful in cases of ______
Active bleeding
What are 2 medications that can increase the production of RBCs?
- Epoetin Alfa
- Darbepoeitin
When are the ESAs used?
To prevent and treat anemia associated with cancer and chemotherapy
True or False: both ESA agents are considered equivalent
True