Hematologic System Flashcards
what is relationship between aging and blood forming tissues?
as we age there is a progressive decrease in the % of marrow space occupied by hematopoietic tissue and reduced iron absorption in the intestine
overall decreased ability to manufacture RBCs and WBCs
T/F: there is an increased risk for clot formation as we age? Why/why not?
TRUE
a rise in fibrinogen and increased platelet adhesiveness and an increased RBC rigidity
what impact does aging have on hematocrit and hemoglobin levels?
they slightly decrease but remain within normal limits
List some transfusion related disorders
- Febril, non-hemolytic transfusion reaction
- Acute Hemolytic Transfusion reaction
what is the most common transfusion related reaction?
febrile, non-hemolytic transfusion reaction
(an immune reaction against transfused RBC)
characterized by an increase in temp by >1º but no hemolysis
how are febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reactions treated?
stop the transfuion
administer antipyretics and corticosteroids
what are the s/s of febrile, non-hemolytic transfusion reactions?
- fever, chills
- HA
- N/V
- HTN
- tachycardia
what causes acute hemolytic transfusion reactions?
due to an ABO incompatibility between a donor and recipient
Erythroctyes are destroyed intravascularly with resultant red plasma and red urine (hematuria)
renal failure
what causes renal failure in acute hemolytic transfusion reactions?
the antigen/antibody rxn forms clumps and when they get to the kidney they get caught in the glomerulus of the kidney
List the S/S of acute hemolytic transfusion rxns
- fever, chills
- N/V
- flank and abdominal pain
- HA
- Dyspnea
- HTN
- Tachycardia
- Hematuria
T/F: it is safe to provide PT to a patient during an RBC transfusion?
True
some studies suggest that if vital signs and signs of medical AE are monitored PT can safely be administered
define erthyropoiesis
the production of RBCs
occurs in marrow of long bones
why is the destruction of RBCs important?
it allows for the recovery of iron and production of bilirubin
define anemia
a condition that develops when one’s blood lacks enough healthy functional red cells or hemoglobin
List the diagnostic criteria for anemia
Hb < (14 g/100 ml for men) and (12 g/100 ml for females)
Hct < (42% for men) and (35% for females)
T/F: anemia is a disease
FALSE
it is a symptom of another disorder
List several causes of anemia
- blood loss (acute or chronic)
- decreased or faulty RBC production
- excessive destruction of RBCs
- dietary deficiency (Vitamin B12)
- congenital defects of hemoglobin (sickle cell disease)
- Exposure to industrial poisons (CCl4)
- Disease of the bone marrow (and presence of tumors)
- Chronic inflammation, infection or neoplastic disease
List several causes of anemia resulting from excessive blood loss
- NSAIDs, Aspirin (can cause ulcer formation in stomach)
- Peptic and duodenal ulcers
- Gastritis
- GI cancers
- Hemorrhoids
- Ulcerative colitis
- Colon polyps
- Parastic worms (pediatric patients)
list several causes of anemia resulting from an increased destruction of RBCs
- mechanical damage (damage by a mechanical heart valves)
- autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA)
- parasites (e.g. malaria)
- hyperspleenism (overactive spleen)
- thalassemia
What are thalassemias?
genetic disorders in which the body makes an abnormal form of hemoglobin → abnormal RBCs which are quickly removed
this results in excessive destruction of RBCs
list causes of anemia resulting from a decreased production of RBCs (5)
- nutritional deficiency (iron, vitamin B12, alcohol abuse, folid acid deficiency)
- cytotoxic or antineoplastic drugs
- decreased bone marrow stimulation (hypothyroidism, decreased erythropoietin production)
- Bone marrow failure (leukemia, aplasia)
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
how is anemia diagnosed?
look at:
- CBC
- Low Hb and Hct
- Abnormal RBC geometry and development
- Ferritin levels
- Serum iron-binding proteins
- binds iron and transports it through the blood
- elevated in periods of iron deficiency
List s/s of anemia
- Pallor
- fatigue
- lightheadedness
- weakness
- dyspnea
- angina
- fainting
how is anemia treated?
understand the cause
alleviate or control the causes
relieve symtpoms
prevent complications
List some implications for PT for anemic patients
- exercise must be approved by physcian
- expect diminished exercise tolerance and increase fatigability
- iron-deficiency anemia higher in athletic populations
- anticipate anemia in chronic renal failure patients
- anemia is often accompanied by CV pathology
how can decreased O2 delivery resulting from anemia, impact PT?
impacts skin healing, exercise capacity, and functional capacity
must monitor vital signs
looking for tachycardia
usually acoompanied by a sense of fatigue, generalized weakness, loss of stamina, and exertional dyspnea
what is leukocytosis?
an increase in the number of leukocytes in the blood
what are some physiologic causes of leukocytosis?
- strenuous exercise
- anesthesia
- surgery
List some PT implications for leukocytosis
- be aware of WBC count
- understand how these numbers have changed over time
- proper hand hygiene is essential
what is lymphocytopenia?
the condition of having an abnormally low level of lymphocytes in the blood
most commonly caused by a recent infection
what can cause lymphocytopenia?
- recent infection
- chemotherapy
- corticosteroid use
- leukemias or lymphomas
- radiation
what is neutropenia?
condition associated with the number of neutrophils being fewer than 1500 cells/mm3
neutrophil count is >500
thus reduced capacity to mount an immune response
List some causes of Neutropenia
- viral infections
- ETOH abuse
- nutritional deficiencies (look at albumin levels)
- CT disorders
- radiation therapy
- overwhelming infections