Exam 3 Flashcards
Signs and symptoms of anemia
Palpitations
Fatigue
Weakness
Worse:
Pallor
*Chest pain
*Dyspnea
*Increased RR
*Increased HR
(Anemia is serious when RR and HR need to compensate)
What is included with a CBC with differential?
RBC
Hemoglobin
Hematocrit
Normal values for hemoglobin
Males: 14-17
Females: 12 to 15
Normal values for hematocrit
Men: 41-50
Women: 36-48
What do iron tests look for?
Ferritin
Serum iron
(To diagnose anemia)
What does a reticulocyte count do?
Reflects bone marrow activity when diagnosing anemia
What things are looked at when testing for anemia?
RBC
Hemoglobin
Hematocrit
Iron studies
Reticulocyte count
Folic acid
Cobalamin (vitamin B12)
Bilirubin
Blood type and screen
Level of hemoglobin when a blood transfusion is needed?
7
What causes iron deficiency anemia?
Inadequate intake of iron, malabsorption, blood loss or hemolysis
Characteristics of RBCs with iron deficiency anemia
Microcytic, Hypochroic
(Small and pale RBCs)
Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia
Pallor = most common symptom
Glossitis (shiny, red, beefy tongue) = 2nd most common
HA, paresthesias, burning sensation of tongue
Treatment of iron deficiency anemia
Dietary or iron supplements
*Dietary intake:
- dark leafy greens
- red meat (esp organ meats)
- iron fortified foods
How can you prevent oral iron from staining pt’s teeth?
Have them drink it through a straw
What causes megaloblastic anemias?
Two types of megaloblastic anemias
A problem with DNA synthesis:
- cobalamin deficiency
- folic acid deficiency
Difference between cobalamin deficiency anemia and pernicious anemia
Low B12 causes DNA synthesis to be impaired because without it, folic acid cannot get into cell (low B12 = low folic acid absorption)
Without intrinsic factor, cobalamin cobalamin cannot get into cell (low intrinsic factor = low B12 absorption) *does not have neuromuscular symptoms
Causes of cobalamin deficiency anemia
Autoimmune
Surgical removal of parts of stomach
Vegan/vegetarian diets
Excessive alcohol use
Smoking
Long term H2 blocker / PPI use
Symptoms of cobalamin deficiency anemia
Jaundice
Glossitis
Fatigue
Weakness
N/V
Abdominal pain
Neuromuscular symptoms such as paresthesias of hands/feet, gait disturbances
Interventions for cobalamin deficiency
Vitamin B12 (oral for pts with proper absorption only)
Dietary counseling: animal proteins, dairy, eggs, fortified cereals
Causes of chronic anemia disease
Chronic inflammation
Autoimmune disorders
Infectious disease
Malignancy
HF
(Immune issue (cytokines) can’t put iron into storage)
*What is aplastic anemia?
*Decline in all cells due to bone marrow depression *(pantocytopenia)
Treatment of aplastic anemia
*Remove or treat cause if known
Immunosuppressive meds
Colony stimulating factors
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Nursing interventions:
- prevent complications due to bleeding risk and infection
Acquired causes of hemolytic anemia
Destruction of RBC that is faster than production of RBCs
- Physical destruction such as DIC
- Antibodies produced against RBCs
- Infectious
Most common symptom of hemolytic anemia why?
Juandice
Because increased bilirubin which is a byproduct of hemolysis
Treatment for hemolytic anemia
IV fluids to protect the kidneys
Transfusion
Steroids
(Removal of the cause is the ultimate goal)
Causes of intrinsic hemolytic anemia
*Tissue hypoxia: PAIN
Sickle cell
Chronic fatal hereditary disease
Normal Hb replaced with Hb S
Treatment for intrinsic hemolytic anemia
Prevent sickle cell crisis
Opioids for tissue hypoxia
Hydrate pt
Prevent infections and treat them promptly
Why does polycythemia cause circulation impairment?
Increased volume and viscosity
What is primary polycythemia?
*Polycythemia Vera (have splenomegaly and hepatomegaly) that causes increase of RBC
What causes secondary polycythemia?
Too many RBC usually hypoxia driven
(High altitude, COPD, CHF)
S/S of polycythemia
Ruddy face and hands
HTN
*HCT >55
Pruritus
Splenomegaly
Paresthesias
major complications of polycythemia
Clots: CVA, MI, CHF
Treatment for polycythemia
Periodic phlebotomy (goal = <45%)
Hydration
Myelosuppression agents
Low dose aspirin (to help prevent clots due to slow moving blood)
Nursing indications:
- Strict I&O
- prevent thrombus formation
Symptoms of an infusion reaction
Febrile: sudden chills, fever, headache, flushing (reacting to donor’s WBC, making antibodies, most common)
Allergic: urticaria, dyspnea, anxiety, wheezing (reacting to donor blood)
Hemolytic: low back, chest, or flank pain Tachycardia, tachypnea (breaking up of RBC b/c of mismatched blood types)
Actions to take if pt is having a transfusion reaction
Stop blood
Maintain IV saline
What is an elevated BP?
120-129 and <80
What is HTN stage 1?
130-139 or 80-89
What is HTN stage 2?
> 140 or >90
How does epinephrine influence BP?
Increases HR and contractibility = increased CO
How does norepinephrine influence BP?
Activates A1, A2, B1 & B2 & dopamine receptors
How does aldosterone influence BP?
Retains Na+ and water = raises blood volume & CO
How does ADH influence BP?
Increases ECF - reabsorbs water in kidneys and increases blood volume = increased CO & BP
Nonmodifiable risk factors for HTN
Age
Gender
Ethnicity
Family history
Socioeconomic status
Modifiable risk factors for HTN
Obesity
Sedentary lifestyle
Alcohol use
Tobacco use
Diabetes
Elevated serum lipids
Excess dietary sodium
Stress
Socioeconomic status
*Major organs affected by HTN
Heart (CAD, MI, LVH)
Brain (TIA, CVA, HTN encephalopathy)
PVD (aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection)
Kidney (CKD)
Eyes (damage to retina/arterioles)
Dietary recommendations for HTN
DASH diet
- Fruits, veggies
- fat- free or low-fat dairy
- whole grains
- fish, poultry, beans
- seeds and nuts
Sodium and alcohol intake recommendations for HTN
1500-2300 mg of salt/day
Men: 2 drinks/day. Women: 1 drink/day
Exercise recommendations for HTN
30 min x 5 days - goal of 150 min/week
With muscle-strengthening 2x/week
Classes of HTN drugs:
AAABCDD
ACEs
ARBs
Alpha 1 receptor blockers
Beta blockers
CCBs
Diuretics
Direct vasodilators
How do diuretics help HTN?
Promote urinary excretion of Na+ and water = lowers circulating blood volume
How to measure for orthostatic hypotension
Measure BP supine, sitting, and then standing with 1-2 min between position changes
Positive if:
- Decrease of 20 or more in SBP
- Decrease in 10 or more in DBP
- HR increase of 20 bpm or more
BP measurement for hypertensive crisis
> 180 and/or >120
Causes of hypertensive crisis
Hx of HTN, non adherent or under medicated
Cocaine, amphetamines, PCP, LSD
- leading to seizures, CVA, encephalopathy or MI
Issues that cause target organ damage and need to be treated IMMEDIATELY
Encephalopathy
Intracranial or subarachnoid hemorrhage
HF, MI
Renal failure
Dissecting aortic aneurysm
Retinopathy
Symptoms of encephalopathy
HA, N/V, seizures, confusion, coma
Nonmidifiable risk factors for atherosclerosis
Age
Gender if <75 (> 75 y/o = equal risk)
Ethnicity (AA = > risk)
Family history
Genetic predisposition
Modifiable risk factors for atherosclerosis
Elevated serum lipids
Hypertension (>130/80)
Obesity (BMI >30)
Diabetes
Metabolic syndrome
Goal for cholesterol levels
<200 mg/dL
Goal for triglyceride level
Males <135
Females <160
Goal for LDL level
<130 mg/dL
Goal for HDL level
Female: >55
Male: >45
Parameters for metabolic syndrome
3 of the following:
1 - central obesity (women >35 in, men >40 in)
2 - fasting blood glucose >100 or prior T2DM Ex
3 - BP >130 / >85, or on drug tx
4 - triglycerides >150 mg/dL
5 - HDL <50 women, <40 men or on drug tx
What do you ask when a patient says they have chest pain?
PQRST:
Precipitating events
Quality of pain
Radiation of pain
Severity of pain (pain scale)
Timing (how long does it last, how often?)
Difference between stable and unstable angina
Stable - intermittent CP with exertion in familiar pattern (same pattern of onset, duration, and intensity)
Unstable - new onset, occurs at rest, lasts >15 min
What is prinzmetal’s angina?
*Spasm of major coronary artery
What is silent ischemia
No symptoms, associated with diabetic neuropathy
What should you teach pts with chronic stable angina?
Stop activity
Rest
Nitroglycerin (take 1 wait 5 min - up to 3 doses)
If pain still there after 15 min, call 911
And chew 2-4 baby aspirin
Nursing goals for chronic stable angina
Reduce O2 demand and/or increase O2 supply to:
*Optimize myocardial perfusion
- relieve pain
Immediate and appropriate treatment
Preservation of heart muscle if MI is suspected
*Nursing actions for chronic stable angina
Position upright, apply O2
Assess: VS, heart and breath sounds
Continuous ECG monitor (telemetry)
- Sometimes 12 lead ECG
Troponin levels
Provide support and reduce anxiety
Pain relief - nitroglycerin, IV opioid if needed
Obtain labs - cardiac bio markers
Obtain chest x ray
What should troponin levels be without heart damage?
<0.03
What is coronary angiography? And what is it used for?
Cardiac catheterization to visualize blockages in arteries and diagnose
What is percutaneous coronary intervention?
Opens blockages and fixes them:
- balloon angioplasty
- stent
What cause unstable angina?
Partial occlusion of coronary artery:
- UA - may have ECG change; troponin normal
- NSTEMI - ECG changes w/o ST elevation; troponin elevated
Total occlusion of coronary artery:
- STEMI - ECG changes w/ ST elevation; troponin elevated
Atypical symptoms of MI or angina in women
Chest pain, but not always
Pain or pressure in lower chest, upper abdomen, or upper back
Fainting
Indigestion
Extreme fatigue
BP requirements for nitroglycerin
SBP >100
If <100, don’t give, need to call provider
What should you teach pt about nitroglycerin and knowing if it’s still working when they take it at home?
Should tingle when they place it under their tongue