Hematology and Oncology Flashcards
2 Components of Blood
Plasma and Blood Cells
Function of plasma
Liquid component
Contains coagulation factors to stop prolonged bleeding
Function of RBC
Carry oxygen
Function of WBC
Fight infection
Function of platelets
Stop immediate bleeding
Two ways to classify anemias
- pathophysiology
- size of RBCs
What are the pathological approaches to anemia?
- decreased production
- hemolysis
- blood loss
- sequestration
What causes decreased production of RBCs/reticulocytes? (4)
- marrow infiltration/injury
- nutritional deficiency
- erythropoietic deficiency
- ineffective erythropoiesis
Why is reticulocyte count high in hemolytic anemias/blood loss?
Compensatory mechanism
Responds to destruction by creating even more
Who is iron deficiency most prevalent in and why?
Children: increased iron needs for growth + picky eaters
Women: blood loss through menstruation
4 Factors in Iron Deficiency Anemia?
- excessive loss
- inadequate intake
- increased demand
- impaired absorption
Iron rich foods
Red meats, fish, eggs, tofu, lentils, green leafy, iron fortified cereals
Why should milk intake be limited?
poor iron availability, displaces iron rich foods
When can cow’s milk be introduced
3.25% cows milk should not be introduced until 12 months
Side effects of iron supplementation
constipation, tarry stool, teeth staining
What can iron deficiency anemia lead to?
long term issues in brain functioning related to decreased oxygen supply to the brain
Signs and Symptoms of low platelets
- excessive bruising
- epistaxis
- bleeding of gums/teeth
- petechiae
- purpura
Petechiae
Pinpoint hemorrhages occurring on the body that do not blanch to pressure
Purpura
Larger purplish areas of hemorrhage in which blood collects under the tissues
Causes of low/dysfunctional platelets
- Infections
- Idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura (most common) – immune reaction causing platelets to be low
- Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
- Medications (NSAIDS, etc.)
- Familial inherited platelet disorders
What type of bleeding characterizes coagulation disorders vs platelet disorders?
OOZING/PROLONGED
coagulation factors: stop prolonged bleeding
platelets: stop immediate bleedings
Most important nursing management points for children with coagulation disorders
Prevent bleeding by instructing child to avoid activities with high potential for injury
Bleeding times are _______ when a clotting disorder in present
Prolonged
Most common coagulation disorders
Von Willebrand
Hemophilia A and B
Neonatal pattern of bleeding
- heel poke
- umbilical cord
- circumcision
- CNS bleeds r/t birth trauma
Infant pattern of bleeding
- frenulum from feeding
- tongue/dental as teething
- soft tissue/forehead as starting to walk
- immunization
Children/adult pattern of bleeding
- hemoarthrosis
- muscle bleeds
- soft tissue bleeds
Neutrophil function
Kill bacteria, fungi, debris
Monocyte function
clean up damaged cells
Eosinophil function
Kill parasites, cancer cells, and involved in allergic response
Lymphocyte function
Fight viruses and make antibodies
Basophil function
Involved in allergic response
When are you most worried about low WBC levels?
usually would indicate no infection present but
worry when there is congenital/autoimmune/cancer reasons
High WBC levels can indicate
- infection
- inflammation
- tissue damage
- leukemia
Origin of pediatric vs adult cancers and difference in what it tends to effect
Ped: embryonic mesodermal germ layer - affect tissues
Adult: epithelial - affect organs
Growth and responsiveness of pediatric cancer compared to adult
Grow/spread more quickly but are more responsive to treatment
Why is childhood cancer not preventable as it is in adulthood?
Not based on lifestyle or environmental factors
Most common pediatric cancers
- leukemia
- CNS tumors
- lymphoma
Cure rate of pediatric cancer
Today cure rate is about 85% (4% in 1962)