Hematology Flashcards
Anemia Definition
A reduction in the number of RBCs, the amount of hgb, or the hematocrit
Alternate term for WBCs?
Leukocytes
What does MCV measure?
The average RBC size
What does MCH measure?
The amount of Hgb per RBC
How long do RBCs live for in the body?
120 days
Where does O2 attach to the RBC?
To the heme binding sites on hemoglobin
These labs help define anemias by cell size and amount of Hgb
MCV and MCH
What does MCHC measure?
Concentration of hemoglobin
What does hematocrit measure?
Percentage of packed RBCs per deciliter of blood
What determines whether anemia is micro, macro or normocytic?
MCV
What is a reticulocyte?
An immature RBC without a nucleus
What could a high reticulocyte count with anemia indicate?
Potentially blood loss, hemolysis, kidney disease (with increased erythropoetin), or sickle cell.
What could a low reticulocyte count with pancytopenia indicate?
Aplastic anemia, bone marrow failure, cirrhosis of the liver, anemia d/t low iron/B12/folate, or CKD
What would a retic count of zero indicate?
Pure red cell aplasia
Normal reticulocyte lab values
0.5%-1.5%
Microcytic anemia is usually caused by
- Inadequate production
- ex: low iron, lead poisoning, thalassemia, or inflammation, anemia d/t chronic disease
Normocytic anemia is usually caused by
- blood loss
- could also be sepsis, chronic disease, kidney failure, or prosthetic heart valves
Macrocytic anemia is usually caused by
- destruction of RBCs (caused by chemo and vitamin deficiencies. DNA messed up)
- **Alcoholism has chronic macrocytosis
What is hemolytic anemia?
Anemia where RBCs are being destroyed. Often inherited.
General symptoms of all anemias
Yellowing of eyes, skin pale/cold/yellow, SOB, weakness, change in stool color, fatigue, dizziness/OH, low blood pressure, palpitations, tachycardia, spleen enlargement, decreased O2 sats, headache
Symptoms of severe anemia
Chest pain, angina, heart attack, murmers and gallops, fainting
Classification of Folic acid deficiency anemia
Macrocytic & lacking a substance
Causes of folic acid deficiency anemia
- Dietary deficiency (lacking in fruits and veggies)
- Malabsorption syndromes (crohns, celiac)
- Alcohol use/abuse
- Certain meds (bactrim, oral contraceptives, anticonvulsants, methotrexate)
Symptoms of folic acid deficiency
- may be without symptoms
- all of the usual anemia symptoms
- poor growth, especially of fetuses
- mouth sores
- swollen tongue
Role of folic acid
Aids in synthesis of DNA, production of RBCs, digestion and use of proteins, and neural tube formation
Is folic acid water soluble? How does this affect its storage in the body?
Yes, easily excreted because it can’t be stored in fat so the body has no folic acid reserves
Assessment items of folic acid def
- Diet recall
- Med list
- Hx of malabsorptive disorders
- Hair and nails (may be brittle)
- O2 sat, cap refill, skin color
Folic acid labs and tests
- Folic acid levels
- CBC
- MCV (high)
- Retic count (low)
- Vit B12 and Iron to compare or r/o
Treatment of folic acid def
- increase folic acid in diet
- folic acid supplements (400 mcg daily rec)
- treat long term alcoholism
- stop or monitor medications
- monitor labs over time (folate and RBCs)
- outcomes usually good with tx
Meds that can cause low folate levels
- phenytoin, methotrexate, sulfasalazine, triamterene, pyrimethamine, trimeth-sulfameth (bactrim), barbiturates
Good sources of folic acid
- Fruits and veggies
- specifically green leafies, citrus, beans and nuts.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency - classification
Macrocytic
Role of Vitamin B12
Needed to transport folic acid into cell, aid in DNA replication
Common causes of B12 Def
- Dietary deficiency (vegan/vgtrn)
- Failure to absorb B12 d/t:
- Partial gastrectomy, pernicious anemia, malabsorption syndromes, alcohol use, immune system disorders, LT use of acid reducing drugs, gastritis
Symptoms of B12 Def
- may be without symptoms
- all the typical anemia sx
- Easy bruising, bleeding
- mouth sores, bleeding gums
- swollen red beefy tongue
- upset stomach or diarrhea
- paresthesia, neurological changes (numbness/tingling)
Nerve damage may be permanent with this type of anemia
B12 Deficiency
B12 Labs
- B12 levels
- CBC
- MCV (high)
- Retic count (low)
- Folic acid and iron to compare or r/o
A subtype of B12 deficiency anemia caused by a lack of intrinsic factor in gastric secretions
Pernicious anemia
Role of intrinsic factor
Necessary for absorption of vitamin B12
Causes of pernicious anemia
Chronic gastritis or gastrectomy, autoimmune conditions, DM I, thyroid disease, family Hx
Treatment of pernicious anemia
- B12 injections, oral or nasal spray B12
Symptoms of B12
- All the norms plus…
- Red beefy tongue, mouth sores, bleeding gums, fissured/ cracked tongue
- fatigue
- paresthesias