Hematological Conditions - Anemia Flashcards
Blood
- plasma
- blood cells
Blood cells
Erythrocytes
Leukocytes
(Granulocytes/Agranulocytes (monocytes and lymphocytes)
Thrombocytes - clotting cells (platelets)
Differentials
the numbers and differences between the numbers of the 5 different types of white blood cells
Primary Function of Red Blood Cells
Transport gasses and assist in acid base balance
- transport oxygen (O2) from lungs to systemic tissues
- Carry carbon dioxide from the tissues to the the lungs
- because RBCs transport oxygen, erythrocyte disorders can lead to tissue hypoxia. This hypoxia accounts for many signs and symptoms of anemia
Primary Function of White Blood Cells
Protect the body from infection
phagocytosis - most common
Primary function of Platelets
promote blood coagulation
Blood functions to transport (4)
- nutrients
- hormones
- metabolic waste products
- CO2
Blood functions to regulate…
- acid base balance
- fluid electrolyte balance
- temperature control
How much fluid volume does blood compose?
8% of total body weight
- 55% plasma
- 45% formed elements
Albumin - 58% of proteins circulating in blood and maintaining oncotic pressure
- low albumin (seen in cancer states, liver disease, HF) you will see peripheral edema
- important value to look at to see if the liver is being affected
Clotting mechanisms
- vascular injury and subendothelial exposure
- platelet plug formation
- fibrin clot development
- clot retraction and dissolution
How much ingested iron is absorbed in the body?
- 5-10%
Clotting Mechanisms
- vascular injury and subendothelial exposure
- platelet plug formation
- fibrin clot development
- clot retraction and dissolution
Clotting Mechanisms
- platelets become stickier
- aspirin inhibits platelet stickiness, so this phase of the clotting process, when the platelets become sticky - we give the enteric coated ASA to keep them from being sticky. Anticoagulant effects.
- known platelet disorders
Spleen
produces RBC during fetal development, filters the blood, and removes defective RBC from circulation, recycles iron from hemoglobin catabolism, filters out bacteria, especially gram+ cocci. Involved in storage, stores platelets and RBC. Any trauma to the spleen or RUQ can cause massive hemodynamic response and internal bleed
Lymph System
lymph fluid, lymphatic ducts, lymphatic capillaries and lymphatic nodes
- Carries fluid from the interstitial fluid to the blood
- How proteins and nutrients get from the GI tract into the blood
- Intermediary, between interstitial and vascular spaces
- Important in preventing edema
- > 200 lymph nodes - filter pathogens and foreign pathogens
Liver
- produces procoagulants
- regulates excess iron (stores it)
- when iron is deficient, the liver produces less hepcidin which means more iron is released from the GI tract and more iron is absorbed
- hepcidin - regulates the release of stored iron from enterocytes in the GI tract, and from macrophages
Age-related Considerations
- More vulnerable to clotting issues, less ability to fight infection
- Anytime older adults go out of range with normal values, they have less reserve capacity. They fall ill more quickly because they cannot produce the needed new blood cells as quickly and are more likely to experience clinical manifestations
Assessment of Hematological System - Subjective Data
- important health information past health history hematological history social and occupational history self-care history activities of daily living nutrition-metabolic history elimination pattern neurological history sleep history sexual-reproductive history values and beliefs - jehovahs witnesses
Past Health History
- what have they had before?
- blood loss? Blood cancers? Any medication that restricts their blood from functioning properly? Any blood thinners or anticoagulants? Immunosuppressants - interfere with the body’s ability to produce WBC and fight infection? Any surgery’s or traumas that have resulted in significant blood loss?
- medications? Rx and OTC
- Surgery or other treatments (chemotherapy)
Objective Assessment - Physical examination
- lymph node assessment (should include: symmetry, size, degree of fixation, tenderness, and texture) normal lymph nodes are small, mobile, firm, and nontender
- palpation of the liver or spleen: usually you cannot feel them. not palpable/when palpating the abdomen. if enlarged, measured as # of cm below the rib border
- skin assessment (cyanosis or pallor may occur in a patient with a hematological condition: or digital clubbing): assess H2T for rashes. If rash is present. Add pressure to determine if blanchable or non-blanchable (petichial rash, clotting disorders, purple flecks or large patches of purple)
Diagnostic Studies of the Hematological System - Laboratory Studies
- Complete blood count (CBC)
(RBC, WBC, platelets) - Iron metabolism (Iron, TIBC (total iron binding capacity), Ferritin (blood protein that contains iron), transferrin saturation)
- PT, INR (go together, warfarin), aPTT (heparin) (anticoagulants that end in -eban cannot be trend using PT, IRN, PTT which means they can run into clotting problems unbeknownst
Other Diagnostics
Radiological Studies Biopsy - bone marrow examination - lymph node biopsy molecular cytogenetics and gene analysis
Three broad causes of anemia
- Decreased RBC production
- Blood loss
- Increased RBC destruction
Decreased RBC production
Iron deficiency - most common cause of decreased RBC production
Blood Loss
Acute
Chronic
Increased RBC destruction
sickle cell disease
Instrinsic (abnormal Hgb)
Anemia is classified as:
a) morphological
b) etiological
morphological
- cellular characteristics
- descriptive, objective laboratory infections
- based on erythrocyte size and color.
Etiological
- underlying cause
- related to the clinical conditions causing anemia
- although the morphological system is the most accurate means of classifying anemias, it is easier to discuss client care by focusing on the cause of the anemia
Anemia is not a disease, it is a manifestation of. a pathological process
Asking why?
- why are the RBC low
- subjective/objective assessment matters - have things from the physical exam that should be backed up with diagnostic tests
- then look into meds
- the entire time asking “why” is this happening and what pathological process is happening here that I need to understand
- identified through history and physical exam and classified by laboratory review
- it is classified by laboratory review of the CBC, reticulocyte count, and peripheral blood smear. once anemia is identified, further investigation is done to determine its cause
Clinical Manifestations
- caused by the body’s response to tissue hypoxia - compensatory chest pain, rise in troponin because the heart is having to work harder. fatigue because the muscles are not getting the oxygen they need, increased resp rate, lower BP - peripheral system wants to make it as easy as possible so vasodilation
- three states of anemia (> 100 is the normal range for hemoglobin)
Mild Anemia
hemoglobin between 100 - 120 up to the lower end of normal. will not create symptoms, if symptoms develop, it is because the client has an underlying disease or is experiencing a compensatory response to heavy exercise. maybe palpitations and mild dyspnea and mild fatigue.
Moderate Anemia
60-100. patients continue to live. cardiopulmonary symptoms are increased and may be experienced even on rest.
Severe Anemia
hemoglobin < 60. many clinical symptoms, throughout many systems, need immediate intervention to preserve life
jaundice
increased concentration in serum bilirubin because when the RBC breaks down it releases bilirubin. usually our body can handle it, but when they are being destroyed to quickly the body cant keep up and we will get jaundice
Treatment of Anemia
- blood or blood transfusions
- correcting the cause is the goal of anemia