Hematology in depth Flashcards
Go look at slide 1/45
types of anemia (morphology, examples, lab values expected)
Classification of anemia: hypoproliferative
iron
vit b12 deficiency
cancer/inflammation
results from the inability of bone marrow to produce adequate numbers of red blood cells
Classification of anemia: bleeding
GI, trauma, genitourinary, epistaxis
Classification of anemia: hemolytic
Altered erythropoiesis Hypersplenism Drug-induced anemia Autoimmune anemia Mech health valve
Red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be replaced
Describe iron deficiency anemia:
Body’s iron stores are depleted an no iron available for hemoglobin synthesis.
Describe microlytic anemia
transferrin saturation is below 20% and ferritin is below 30
happens when your red blood cells are smaller than usual because they don’t have enough hemoglobi
What are general manifestations of anemia?
tachycardia SOB dyspnea chest pain muscle pain or cramping pallor
What labs are evaluated when determining is someone has anemia?
Hbg/Hct Retiulocyte count RBC Iron studies – TIBC, % saturation, ferritin Vitamin B12 Folate Haptogloin – if hemolysis is suspected) Erythropoietin
What are factors that can influence the development of anemia-associated symptoms?
- The rapididy with which anemia has developed
- The duration of the anemia
- The metabolic requirements of the patient
- Other concurrent disorders or disabilities (i.e., cardiopulmonary dx)
Anemia assessment: general
Weakness, fatigue
Dizziness
Pica (craving unusual items including - ice, starch, or dirt)
Anemia assessment: neurological
Numbness and tingling (paresthesias), irritability
Weakness
Headache
Poor coordination, confusion
Gait disturbances
Reflex abnormalities
Loss of position (proprioception) and vibration sense
Spasticity
Roaring, rushing, ringing, or pounding sensation in the ears
Anemia assessment: respiratory
Dyspnea
Orthopnea
Tachypnea
Anemia assessment: GI
Anorexia, nausea, vomiting Dysphagia Abdominal pain Flatulence Diarrhea Hepatomegaly Splenomegaly
Anemia assessment: musculoskeletal
Muscle pain (claudication)
Anemia assessment: integumentary
Pallor of the skin and mucous membranes
Jaundice (hemolytic anemia)
Brittle, ridged, concave nails
Impaired wound healing
Loss of elasticity
Early thinning and graying of hair
Dry skin
Painful mouth sores
Beefy red, sore tongue (megaloblastic anemia)
Smooth and red tongue (iron deficiency anemia)
Ulcerated corners of the mouth (angular cheilitis)
Anemia assessment: cardiovascular
Palpitations Chest pain Tachycardia Hypotension Peripheral edema Murmurs
Medical and nursing management for anemia
- Correct or control cause
- manage fatigue
- maintain adequate nutrition
- maintain adequate perfusion
What can decrease the severity of fatigue in patients with anemia?
short periods of daily exercise can decrease the severity of fatigue
What should clients with anemia keep in mind about their nutrition?
Iron, vitamin b12, folic acid are essential
- avoid alc
- culturally centered food and food preferences
- dietary supplements may be needed
Iron deficiency anemia: causes
Blood low
Low iron in diet
Heavy menstruation
Iron deficiency anemia: s/s
SOB Fatigue Increased workload of the heart Tachycardia Dizziness
Iron deficiency anemia: dx
MCV < 90fL
Stool for occult blood
Colonoscopy
mean corpuscular volume. An MCV blood test measures the average size of your red blood cells
Iron deficiency anemia: tx
Iron
Transfussion
What are things to keep in mind about iron transfusions?
Hemoglobin rise after 1 week – full 1-2g/dL 4-8 weeks
What are sfx of iron?
nausea, epigastric discomfort can take with meals but then decrease absorption
Iron supplement education
Take iron on empty stomach (1 hour before, or 2 hours after a meal) - absorption is reduced with food, especially diary products and antacids
To prevent gastrointestinal distress, the following schedule may work better if more than one tablet a day is prescribed: Start with only one tablet per day for a few days, then increase to two tablets per day, and then three tablets per day. This method permits the body to adjust gradually to the iron.
Increase the intake of vitamin C, to enhance iron absorption.
Eat foods high in fiber to minimize problems with constipation.
Remember that stools will become dark in color.
To prevent staining the teeth with a liquid preparation, use a straw or place a spoon at the back of the mouth to take the supplement. Rinse the mouth thoroughly afterward.
What foods are high in vitamin C?
citrus fruits and juices, strawberries, tomatoes, broccoli
Anemia and kidney disease
Creatinine level > 3
Decreased production of erythropoietin
Can cause HTN d/t rapid production
What are s/s of having anemia with kidney disease?
Fatigue, decreased activity tolerance
Anemia with chronic disease
Rheumatoid arthritis
Cancers
What deficiencies are present with megoblastic anemia?
Folic acid and vitamin b12
a type of anemia characterized by very large red blood cells.
Megoblastic anemia: cause
Autoimmune condition
Megaloblastic anemia: s/s
Fatigue Mood changes Memory difficulty Weakness Vitiligo (patchy loss of skin pigmentation) Premature graying of hair Tongue is smooth, red, and sore
Megaloblastic anemia: dx
MCV < 90 fL
Megaloblastic anemia: tx
IM injections of b12 or folic acid orally
Where is folate found?
green leafy vegetables, legumes, egg yolks, fortified foods like cereal, and liver
Why are folic acid and vb12 needed?
To have DNA maturation and RBC
Someone with newly diagnosed megaloblastic anemia will need what?
endoscopy
B12 deficiency comes from what?
absorption - examples include Crohns, gastric bypass or gastrectomy
What is happening in hemolytic anemias?
The erythrocytes have a shortened lifespan; thus, their number in circulation is reduced.
What happens when there are too few erythrocytes with hemolytic anemia?
result in decreased available oxygen, causing hypoxia, which, in turn, stimulates an increase in erythropoietin release from the kidney. The erythropoietin stimulates the bone marrow to compensate by producing new erythrocytes and releasing some of them into the circulation somewhat prematurely as reticulocytes
What are the 2 types of hemolytic anemias that we talked about in class?
Thalassemia
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA)
Thalassemia: cause
hereditary
Thalassemia: highest population
Mediterranean, African, and Southeast Asian ancestry
Thalassemia: alpha
occurs without s/s
milder than beta
Thalassemia: beta
fatal within the 1st few years of life
Thalassemia: tx
Tranfusion of PRBC
– can develop anti-RBC antibodies, transfusion-associated infections and iron overload
What are treatments of iron overload?
Deferoxamine, Deferasirox, and deferiprone
Deferoxamine, Deferasirox, and deferiprone: side effects
Bone marrow suppression, liver function abnormalities, annual eye and hearing exams, n/v, diarrhea, abdominal pain
Deferoxamine, Deferasirox, and deferiprone: issues
adherence
Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA): patho
own immune system hemolyzes RBCs
Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA): causes
unknown 50%, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, lupus, or infections
Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA): tx for mild
Monitoring
corticosteroids
try other immunosuppressive agents
Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA): tx for severe
blood transfussions
Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA): nursing considerations
If splenectomy - get vaccinations
Corticosteroids - monitor BP and BG
Jaundice is a s/s of hemolytic anemia; what are nursing considerations and/or teaching points about this?
caused by a build-up of bilirubin in the body. This causes severe itching, but the client should avoid scratching because this can worsen the condition and cause breaks in the skin. The client should not use soap when bathing and bathe in tepid water to avoid pruritis
What is the primary cause of death of AIHA?
iron overload
Thrombocytopenia: what is it?
Low platelet count.
Thrombocytopenia: causes
Malignancy, infections, medications, autoimmunity (ITP), and DIC
Thrombocytopenia: clinical manifestations
Less than 50,000/mm3 - bleed occurs following surgery or trauma
Less than 20,000/mm3, – petechiae, spontaneous nasal and gingival bleeding, menstrual bleeding, bleeding after dental procedures
Less than 10,000/mm3 – fatal CNS or GI hemorrhage can occur
Thrombocytopenia: medical management
Medications associated with the cause (abx., cardio meds, etc)
Platelet transfusion
Chemo patients must maintain their platelets above what
10,000
What is normal platelet count?
150,000-450,000 (150-450)
Thrombocytopenia: nursing management / education
caution with activity d/t increased bleeding risk
Heparin induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT)
Formation of antibodies against the heparin-platelet complex.
HIT risk factors:
Type of heparin used Duration of heparin therapy (>4 days) Surgery (esp. if required cardiopulmonary bypass) Women Dose (SQ/IV) is not risk factor
HIT characteristics
Decline in platelet count (5-10 days after heparin therapy)
Drop 50% below baseline over 1-3 days
Risk for thrombosis (DVT, CVA, ACS, ischemic damage to extremity)
HIT: tx
Stop heparin
use alternative means of anticoagulations
If thrombosis occurs, 3-6 months of anticoagulation therapy will be needed
What is the alternative anticoagulation therapy is someone gets HIT?
argatroban - thrombin inhibitor
NOT COUMADIN – promotes thrombosis in the microvasculature by depleting protein C
HIT nursing interventions
Discuss the need to not have Heparin for 3-4 months
Immune Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP): what is it?
Platelet count is decreased by destruction and impaired production
Low amounts of thrombopoietin
Immune Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP): s/s
incidental finding
bruising vs bleeding from mucous membrances
less than 10,000 platelets
Immune thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP): risk factors
uncontrolled HTN and peptic ulcer disease
Immune Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP): medical management
need to keep safe platelet levels (30-50,000)
lifestyle (caution with activities)
transfusons are not common
less than 5,000 –> high dose IVIG and corticosteroids
Immune Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP): nursing management
lifestyle
report HA or visual disturbances - could show intracranial bleeding
avoid IM and rectal meds - stimulate bleeding
avoid constipation
electric razors
soft bristled toothbrush
no intercourse until greater than 50,000
Immune Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP): Incidence in children
acute - children 1-6 weeks after a viral illness
Platelet defects: functional platelet disorder cause
induced by aspirin
Functional Platelet Disorder: clinical manifesations
Ecchymoses
Risk for bleeding with trauma or surgery