Haematology/vascular

Question 1

Define anaemia for men and women:

Answer 1

Hb < 120g/L (women)
Hb <130g/L (men)

Question 2

Causes of iron deficiency:

Answer 2

• inadequate dietary intake (eg. vegan)
• increased iron demand (eg. rapid growth in children, pregnancy)
• increased iron loss due to bleeding (eg. peptic ulcer, heavy menstrual bleeding)
• reduced absorption (eg. coeliac disease)

Question 3

Side effects of oral iron supplements and how to minimise these:

Answer 3

• constipation (increase dietary fibre and fluid intake, reduce dose to alternate day dosing)
• nausea (take in the evening)
• disturbance (take with good)
• teeth staining from liquid preparations (take with juice/water, use straw, brush teeth after)

Question 4

Drugs that decrease the absorption of iron preparations:

Answer 4

• antacids
• tetracyclines
• cimetidine

Question 5

What are the two most common aetiologies of peripheral vascular disease?

Answer 5

• arteriosclerosis
• atherosclerosis

Question 6

Virchow’s triad for VTE:

Answer 6

• hypercoagulability (pregnancy, IBD, thrombophilia)
• vascular wall injury (trauma or surgery, atherosclerosis)
• circulatory stasis (immobility, atrial fibrillation)

Question 7

Causes of anaemia:

Answer 7

• decreased RBC production (eg. iron deficiency, cancer)
• increased RBC loss (eg. bleeding)
• increased RBC destruction (haemolytic)

Question 8

Actions of anticoagulants

Answer 8

• interfere with the clotting cascade and thrombin formation
• adverse effects: bleeding, GI upset, hepatic dysfunction

Question 9

Actions of antiplatelets:

Answer 9

• inhibit platelet adhesion and aggregation by blocking receptor sites on the platelet membrane
• adverse effects: bleeding, headache, dizziness, weakness