Drugs For Megaloblastic & Pernicious Anaemias Flashcards
Anaemia definition
- Reduction in RBC mass
- Decrease in RBCs per microliter
- Decrease in Hgb concentration
Anaemia causes
- RBC loss and destruction
- Nutritional deficiency
- Drugs
Basic hematology tests used to evaluate anemias
Complete blood count (CBC): Hgb, Hct, RBC count, RBC indices (MCV, MCH, MCHC), •WBC count (and differential) •Platelet count •RBC morphology •Reticulocyte count •Bilirubin and LDH •Serum iron, serum ferritin, transferrin saturation •Peripheral blood smear examination •Stool examination for occult blood •Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy
The presence of macrocytic (large) RBCs are associated with…
…vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency.
Megaloblastic anemia is a common disorder that can have several causes, including…
…anemias associated with vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency
- metabolic or inherited defects associated with a decreased ability to use vitamin B12 or folic acid.
Pathology of Megaloblastic anemia
Caused by diminished synthesis of purines and pyrimidines which leads to an inability of erythropoietic tissue to make DNA and thereby, proliferate.
What kind of RBCs are made in megaloblastic anaemia?
Unusually larger, structurally abnormal, immature RBCs (megaloblasts)
Megaloblastic changes can be observed microscopically in
RBC and in proliferating cells (e.g., in the cervix, skin, GI tract).
MCV is measured in…
Femtolitres
MCV formula
[Hct (percent) × 10]/[RBC count (10^6/μL]
Signs and symptoms of anemia vary with
the degree of RBC reduction as well as with the time interval during which it develops.
Tissue hypoxia in anaemia is caused by
the decreased oxygen-carrying capacity of the reduced RBC mass.
Slowly developing anemias can be asymptomatic initially. True or false?
True
Slowly developing anemias may include symptoms such as
Dyspnea
Angina
Fatigue
Paleness of the skin (pallor)
Malaise
Jaundice
Light headedness
Dizziness
Aches and pains
Diarrhea
Nausea
Anorexia
Emaciation
Glossitis
