CV2 Clotting disorder and anemia Flashcards
What is anemia and what are the common signs & symptoms?
Anemia is a reduction in the oxygen-carrying capacity of red blood cells, which can result from reduced RBC numbers, hemoglobin content, or defective RBC structure.
Common signs & symptoms:
Fatigue
Pallor
Cold peripheries
Dizziness
Shortness of breath
Heart palpitations
Gastrointestinal effects
Neurological effects
Epithelial changes (e.g., hair/nail brittleness)
Jaundice
What are the causes, risk factors, pathophysiology, and treatment options of iron deficiency anemia?
Causes: Inadequate dietary intake, poor absorption, excessive loss (e.g., menstruation, blood loss).
Risk Factors: Growth periods (infancy, adolescence), pregnancy, heavy menstruation, blood loss, poor diet, intestinal conditions.
Pathophysiology: Insufficient iron results in reduced hemoglobin production and impaired RBC oxygen-carrying capacity.
Treatment: Iron supplementation (ferrous sulfate or gluconate), dietary changes, treating underlying conditions (e.g., gastrointestinal issues).
What causes macrocytic anemias?
Macrocytic anemias are caused by vitamin B12 or folate deficiencies, which impair DNA synthesis in developing RBCs, leading to large, immature RBCs.
Common causes:
Inadequate dietary intake
Poor absorption (e.g., pernicious anemia for B12)
Increased renal loss (e.g., dialysis)
Increased demand (e.g., pregnancy)
How can you distinguish between different types of anemia?
Anemia types can be distinguished by:
Size: Microcytic (small), normocytic (normal), macrocytic (large)
Hemoglobin content: Hypochromic (low), normochromic (normal)
Cause: Blood loss, RBC destruction, defective RBC/hemoglobin production, chronic disease, etc.
Common types: Iron deficiency, thalassemia, aplastic, hemolytic, macrocytic, sickle cell, and anemia of chronic disease.
What is the pathophysiology of thrombocytopenia and hemophilia?
Thrombocytopenia: Abnormally low platelet count (<150 x 10^9/L), leading to reduced clotting ability and increased bleeding risk. Can result from decreased platelet production or increased destruction.
Signs & Symptoms: Bruising, petechiae, mucosal bleeding.
Hemophilia: A genetic disorder (X-linked) causing deficiencies in clotting factors VIII (Hemophilia A) or IX (Hemophilia B), leading to impaired coagulation and prolonged bleeding.
Signs & Symptoms: Prolonged bleeding, easy bruising, joint bleeding.
What is the pathophysiology of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), including causative factors and signs & symptoms?
Pathophysiology: DIC is characterized by widespread clot formation (thrombosis) followed by excessive clot breakdown (fibrinolysis), leading to both clotting and bleeding issues.
Causative Factors: Severe endothelial damage (e.g., sepsis, trauma, pregnancy complications).
Signs & Symptoms: Petechiae, purpura, bleeding from wounds, mucosal bleeding, internal organ damage, respiratory distress, shock.
What is the pathophysiology of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), including risk factors and signs & symptoms?
Pathophysiology: DVT occurs when a thrombus forms in the deep veins, usually of the lower limbs. This can result from endothelial injury, blood stasis, or hypercoagulability.
Risk Factors: Surgery, immobility, obesity, smoking, dehydration, pregnancy, coagulopathies.
Signs & Symptoms: Swelling, pain, redness, warmth in the affected limb, sometimes asymptomatic.
How does pulmonary embolism relate to deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
Pulmonary embolism occurs when a thrombus (embolus) from a DVT dislodges and travels to the lungs, blocking a pulmonary artery.
Pathophysiology: The embolus causes obstruction of pulmonary blood flow, leading to tissue hypoxia, vasoconstriction, and potential cardiac and respiratory failure.
Signs & Symptoms: Sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, cough, coughing up blood, shock, increased heart rate.
