Class 18 review Flashcards
Blood accounts for ____ of total body weight
8%
Whole blood percentage by volume
Plasma 55%
Formed elements 45%
Plasma is majority ______
water 91%
Formed elements are majority ________
Erythrocytes >99%
Platelets <1%
Leukocytes <1%
Hemoglobin (Hg)
This test is a measure of the total amount of Hgb in the blood. It is used as a rapid indirect measurement of the red blood cell (RBC) count
Hematocrit (Hct)
The Hct is a measure of the percentage of the total blood volume that is made up by the RBCs
Reticulocytes
The reticulocyte count is an indication of the ability of the bone marrow to respond to anemia and make RBCs. It is used to classify and monitor therapy of anemias
Serum iron
Amount of iron found in hemoglobin
Total iron binding capacity (TIBC)
TIBC is a measurement of all proteins available for binding mobile iron
Ferritin
The serum ferritin study is a good indicator of available iron stores in the body
Transferrin
Iron is bound to a globulin protein called transferrin and carried to the bone marrow for incorporation into hemoglobin/ Transferrin exists in relationship to the need for iron. When iron stores are low, transferrin levels increase, whereas transferrin is low when there is too much iron
Serum B12
Blood levels of vitamin B12 help to indicate if there is a vitamin deficiency present impacting RBC production
Folate
Blood levels of folate help to indicate if there is a folate deficiency impacting RBC
Mean corpuscular volume
We will use this to determine the size of red blood cells
Bilirubin
When red blood cells are destroyed they release heme into the blood, this results in increased bilirubin in the body and the patient can appear jaundiced
Summary of life cycle of iron
Ferritin: iron stored in mucosal cells (iron plus a protein used to store iron)
Transferrin: iron transport protein for distribution throughout the body (goes either to hemoglobin, liver, or muscle)
Serum iron: the amount of iron found in hemoglobin (70% of most iron in the body)
Three ways that anemia can be classified
- microcytic anemias (small cells - seen in iron deficiency)
- macrocyclic anemias (large cells - seen in vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiencies)
- Normocytic anemias (normal cells - blood loss or kidney failure)
Decreased production of red blood cells is typically due to
Lack of iron, folic acid, or vitamin B12 in the body OR kidney failure
Increased destruction of red blood cells from…
hemolytic anemias
Medications for hematopoiesis and growth factors
Erythropoietin
Epoetin Alfa prototype
Darbepoetin alfa
Medications replacing vitamins or minerals in the body that are responsible for RBC production
Folic acid
Vitamin B12
Ferrous sulfate
Epoetin Alfa (Eprex) MOA
It is a glycoprotein hormone that stimulates the production of RBCs in bone marrow. In response to anemia or hypoxia, circulating levels of erythropoietin rise dramatically, triggering an increase in erythrocyte synthesis. However, because production of erythrocytes requires iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12, the response to erythropoietin is minimal if any of these is deficient
Epoetin Alfa (Eprex) adverse effect
hypertension
Epoetin Alfa (Eprex) nursing considerations
Hemoglobin level should be measured at baseline and twice weekly thereafter until the target level has been reached and a maintenance dose is established. Complete blood counts with a differential should be done routinely. Blood chemistry should be monitored. Iron should be measured periodically