Hematological Emergencies: Anemia

Question 1

What is anemia?

Answer 1

Condition characterized by an abnormally low number of circulating red blood cells

Question 2

What 3 things can cause anemia?

Answer 2

1. Increased red blood cell loss - hemorrhage
2. Increased red blood cell destruction - hemolysis
3. Decreased red blood cell production in bone marrow

Question 3

What do these things cause?

1. Some drugs
2. IMHA or AIHA
3. Erythrocyte metabolism defect
4. Toxins (onions, zinc)

Answer 3

Hemolysis

Question 4

What can infection, chronic renal failure, and iron or vitamin B12 deficiency cause?

Answer 4

Decreased red blood cell production

Question 5

What are these the clinical signs of?

1. Lethargy
2. Weakness
3. Pale mucous membranes
4. Tachycardia
5. Tachypnea
6. Bounding pulses (hemolysis)

Answer 5

Anemia

Question 6

What are the diagnostic tests for anemia? (3)

Answer 6

1. PCV
2. RBC count
3. Reticulocyte count

Question 7

What are these tests used for?

1. Platelet count
2. Coagulation tests
3. Saline agglutination test
4. Coomb’s test
5. Blood chemistry panel
6. Tick-transmitted disease blood panel

Answer 7

Do you diagnose causes of anemia

Question 8

What is the treatment for anemia? (3)

Answer 8

1. Stabilize critical patient with appropriate treatment
2. Diagnose and treat primary cause of anemia
3. Administer blood transfusion if necessary

Question 9

What are these things important to do for?

1. Control hemorrhage
2. Replace lost blood volume
3. Provide oxygen supplementation

Answer 9

Critical patient stabilization treatments