Hematologic problems Flashcards
Name the five hematologic problems that are caused by a decrease in RBC production.
- ) Iron deficiency anemia
- ) Thalassemia
- ) Megaloblastic anemias- Cobalamin (vit b12) and Folic acid deficiency
- ) Chronic disease
- ) Aplastic
Blood loss is a type of anemia that can either be _____ or ______.
Acute- ex: trauma, ruptured aortic aneurysm, GI bleeding.
Chronic- ex: bleeding duodenal ulcer, colorectal cancer, liver disease
Name the hematologic problems that are caused by a increase in RBC destruction.
- ) Sickle cell disease
- ) Hemolytic
- ) Acquired hemolytic
- ) Hemochromatosis
- ) Polycythemia
What are three bleeding problems that are caused by problems with hemostasis?
- ) Thrombocytopenia
- ) Hemophilia and Von Willebrand Disease
- ) Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)
Name one resistance problem that is caused by decreased WBCs?
Neutropenia
Anemia is not a specific disease, but a deficiency in the number of ________ (RBCs), quantity of _______ (Hgb), or volume of packed RBCs (_______).
Erythrocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit
*Leads to tissue hypoxia, which accounts for many of the signs and symptoms of anemia.
Significant diagnostic studies in the evaluation of anemia include:
- ) Hemoglobin: ___-___ (female); __-__ (male)
- ) Hematocrit: ___-___ (F); __-___(M)
- ) RBC count: __-__ (F); ___-__ (M)
- ) WBC: _____-_____ (differential), shows sign of infection
- ) Platelets: ______-______ (tells ability to clot)
- ) 12-16, 13-18
- ) 38-47%, 40-54%
- ) 4-5, 4.5-6
- ) 4,000-11,000
- ) 150,000-400,000
______ is the measurement of degree of RBC Hemolysis.
Bilirubin
* Yellow color shows up in sclera, urine, (Jaundice)
This test differentiates among types of hemolytic anemia, detects immune bodies and Rh factor.
Coombs test
Erythropoietin is produced in the ______ and it produces RBCs
kidneys
The Erythrocyte Sedimentation rate (ESR) indirectly measures the degree of _________ present in the body.
inflammation
This test separates normal Hgb from abnormal and used to detect thalassemia and sickle cell disease.
hemoglobin electrophoresis
What test is used to differentiate between malabsorption and pernicious anemia?
Schillings test
*Uses radioactive Vit. b12 and measures in urine…if there is a lot of cobalamin, the body is not absorbing b12 properly.
What is ferritin?
A major iron storage protein in RBCs
Folic acid is needed for ____ production.
RBC
What is serum iron?
reflects amount of iron combined with proteins in blood
What is total iron binding capacity (TIBC)?
Measures all proteins available for binding iron
What is the reticulocyte count?
Immature RBCs
*This may be elevated if anemic, the body is trying to compensate for loss.
What test is done if all of the other anemic tests are inconclusive?
Bone marrow aspiration (marrow is where RBC are produced)
- This provides info about hematopoiesis, hematocytology, and chromosomal abnormalities
- done at bedside
- nurse assist physician with sterile procedure
- done at post. iliac crest
- apply site pressure for 5-10 min
- assess vital signs frequently
- position on side done for 30-60 mins to decrease any bleeding
- monitor for signs of bleeding for 24 hrs as well as signs of infection
What is the hemoglobin (hgb) level of mild anemia?
10-14
*may not have any symptoms
What is the hgb level of moderate anemia?
6-10
*may have cardio-pulmonary symptoms (arrhythmia’s, bounding pulse, dyspnea (SOB)
What is the hgb level of severe anemia?
<6
*may exhibit pallor, jaundice, pruritus (from increase in bilirubin), glossitis, tachycardia, increase pulse pressure, systolic murmurs, intermittent claudication, heart attack, disorientation, dysphagia, sensitive to cold.
What are some additional assessment findings of anemia that are not listed from severe anemia?
palpitations, diaphoresis, bounding pulse, roaring in the ears, glossitis, cheilitis, anorexia, abdominal pain, impaired thought process, neuromuscular manifestations-paresthesias, abnormal lab values- depends on which values as to which anemia they have.
The etiology of iron-deficiency anemia includes 1.) _____ _____, 2.) hemolysis (RBC breakdown) and 3.) _______.
1.) Blood loss- 2 mL whole blood contain 1 mg iron, major cause of iron deficiency in adults, chronic blood loss most common through GI and GU systems.
- ) Pregnancy
* normal menstruation is 45 mL- my friend has iron def. anemia and blood loss, so they put her on birth control to control bleeding
**iron def. can also be from poor diets (alcoholism)
What are clinical manifestations of Iron-Deficicency anemia?
- General symptoms of anemia listed before, but vary depending on severity.
- Pallor is the most common finding
- Glossitis is the second most common finding
- Cheilitis (lips)
Iron-Deficiency anemia has what type of collaborative care?
-Goal is to treat underlying disease causing reduced intake or absorption of iron
- Efforts are aimed at replacing iron
1. ) Nutritional therapy (need iron, vit. b12, folic acid, amino acids, vit c) -liver, muscle meat, eggs, dried fruits, legumes, green leaf. veggies, whole grains, cereal, pasta. Iron is best absorbed in acidic environ. (give with OJ), dilute liquid iron and give with straw (may stain teeth)
2. ) Oral or occasional parenteral iron supplements
3. ) Transfusion of packed RBCs
What is drug therapy of Iron-Def. anemia?
- Oral iron (inexpensive- daily dose is 150-200mg)
- ) Paraenteral
* IV- give a test dose before entire dose
* IM- use needle to fill syringe, and a separate needle to inject pt. Z-track method, never give more than 2mL.
What is the etiology of Thalassemia?
- A group of diseases involving inadequate production of normal hemoglobin
- Therefore decreased erythrocyte production
- Common in ethnic groups from Mediterranean sea area
- Major and Minor cases
Thalassemia minor is characterized by having one gene of the disease, is ________ frequently, has _______ anemia (6-10), and the body adapts to reduction in Hgb- thus no treatment is indicated.
Asymptomatic, moderate
Thalassemia major is determined by __ genes. As the bone marrow responds to the deficit of O2- carrying capacity of the blood, RBC production is stimulated, and marrow becomes paced with ______ erythroid precursors that die.
2, immature
- Also characterized by chronic bone marrow hyperplasia (ex: enlarged cranium from increased bone production)
- Major is a life threatening disease, causes mental retardation, physical problems, enlarged liver and spleen, jaundice, overactive erythropoesis
What is collaborative care for Thalassemia?
- No specific drug or diet is effective in treating this
- Thalassemia major: blood transfusions or exchange transfusions with chelating agents that bind to iron to reduce iron overloading, splenectomy.
__________ anemias are a group of disorders caused by impaired DNA synthesis, or presence of abnormally large, immature RBCs. The majority result from deficiency in ________ (Vit. b12) or ______ acid.
megaloblastic, cobalamin, folic
_______ anemia is a type of cobalamin deficiency. The inability to absorb Vit. B12, because of the lack of ______ factor.
pernicious, intrinsic
Intrinsic factor is secreted by the parietal cells of the gastric mucosa. IF is required for cobalamin absorption in the _____ _____, if IF is not secreted, cobalamin will not be absorbed.
distal ilium
Cobalamin deficiency can also occur in the following situations: ___ surgery (wont produce intrinsic factor), chronic _____ of the GI tract, chronic ______ (lack of b12), long term users of H2-______ receptor blockers and proton pump inhibitors.
GI, diseases, alcoholics, histamine
What are the general symptoms of pernicious anemia?
- symptoms of anemia related to tissue hypoxia
- GI manifestations: sore mouth, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain
- Neuromuscular: weakness, paresthesias of feet and hands, reduced vibratory and positions senses, ataxia (uncoordinated mvmt) , impaired though processes, muscle weakness
What are some diagnostic studies for pernicious anemia?
- RBC’s appear macrosytic and have abnormal shapes
- Serum cobalamin levels are decreased
- Serum folate levels may be normal
- Because these patients at higher risk or gastric cancer, gastroscopy and biopsy of gastric mucosa may be done.
- Schillings test: radioactive cobalamin administered with amount secreted in urine measured- inability to absorb results in low level secreted in urine.
- parenteral (nasally) administration of intrinsic factor may also be used; this is followed by increased secretion of cobalamin in urine
What is the management of pernicious anemia?
- Increasing dietary cobalamin ingestion is non effective unless deficit is due strictly to inadequate dietary intake (vegetarians, vegans at risk)
- Instruct pt on principles of good nutrition
- Administer parenteral (cyanocobalamin) or hydroxocobalamin- typical 1000 mg daily for two weeks, followed by weekly until hct is normal then monthly for life.
Cobalamin deficiency that is NOT related to intrinsic factor is lack of ______ intake (strict vegetarians)
dietary
The collaborative care of cobalamin deficiency includes parenteral or _______ administration of Vit. B12 is the treatment of choice.
intranasal
- Patient can die within 1-3 yrs without treatment
- This anemia can be reversed with ongoing treatment but long-standing neuromuscular complications can not be reversed.
Another cause of megaloblastic anemia is ____ acid deficiency.
folic
- This acid is required for DNA synthesis (RBC formation and maturation)
- Clinical symptoms are similar to those of cobalamin, but absence of neurologic problems differentiates them.