introduction to anaemia

Question 1

define anaemia

Answer 1

is defined reduction in Hb concentration

Question 2

what are normal ranges of HB

Answer 2

males =13g/dl
women=11.5 g/dl

Question 3

what determines total circulating haemoglobin concentration

Answer 3

1. circulating plasma volume
2. total circulating haemoglobin

Question 4

what are some possible ways in which haemoglobin may be affected in the circulation

Answer 4

1. acute significant blood loss
2. pregnancy or splenomegaly
   this can produce an increasin plasma volume reducing the apparent hamoglobin conc.
3. dehydration
   reduced plasma volume may mak anaemia

Question 5

what are the norma values for each of the following
male female
1. haemoglobin
2. haematocrit
3. red cell count
4. mean cell volume no
5. mean cell Hb no
6. mean cell Hb conc. no
7. reticulocyte count. no

Answer 5

male female
1. haemoglobin 13-17 11-15
2. haematocrit 40-52 36-48
3. red cell count 4.5-6.5 3.9-5.6
4. mean cell volume 80-95 no
5. mean cell Hb (pg) 27-34 no
6. mean cell Hb conc. 30-35 no
7. reticulocyte count. 25-125 no

Question 6

what are Hb values in children

Answer 6

newborns= 15-21 g/dl
3 months= 9.5-12.5 g/dl
1 year to puberty=11-13.5

Question 7

causes of anemia

Answer 7

1. blood loss (internal or external)
2. nutritional deficiency (folate, B12 or iron)
3. toxicity
4. idiopathic
5. hematopoetic stem cell arrest

Question 8

what are the 5 types of anaemia

Answer 8

1. nutritional anaemia
2. haemolytic anaemia
3. anaemia of chronic disorder
4. sideroblastic anaemia
5. aplastic anaemia
6. pernicious anaemia

Question 9

hypoxia is a condition in wich the blood tissues are not receiving enough oxygen. what two compensatory mechanisms does the body take in response to hypoxia

Answer 9

1. the cardiovascular system
   cardiac compensation is the major adaptation. both stroke volume and heart rate increase mobilising greater volumes of oxygenated blood to the tissues. these may present palpitations, tachycardia and heart murmurs
2. The skin
   a common sign is generalised pallor due primarily to vasoconstrion with distribution of blood to key areas (brain and myocardium)