PSA - Data Interpretation

Question 1

Name two causes of microcytic anaemia?

Answer 1

Fe deficient anaemia

Thallasaemia

Question 2

Name four causes of normacytic anaemia?

Answer 2

Anaemia of chronic disease
Acute bleeding
Haemolytic anaemia
Chronic renal failure

Question 3

Name eight causes of macrocytic anaemia?

Answer 3

B12/Folate deficiency
Pernicous anaemia
Chronic alocohol 
Liver disease (NAFLD)
Hypothyroidism
Myeloproliferative disease
Myelodysplastic disease
Multiple myeloma

Question 4

Name three causes of increased neutrophils (neutrophilia)?

Answer 4

Bacterial infection
Tissue damage (inflammation/infarct/malignancy)
Steroids

Question 5

Name four causes of decreased neutrophils (neutropaenia)?

Answer 5

Viral infection
Chemo/radiotherapy
Carbimazole
Clozapine

Question 6

Name three causes of increased lymphocytes (lymphocytosis)?

Answer 6

Viral infection
Lymphoma
CLL

Question 7

Name four causes of increased platlets (thrombocytosis)?

Answer 7

Reactive =
1. Tissue damage (inflammation/infection/malignancy)
2. Bleeding
3. Post-splenectomy
Primary = 
1. Myeloproliferative disorder

Question 8

Name five causes of decreased platlets (thrombocytopaenia) caused by a decrease in production?

Answer 8

Infection
Penecillamine - used to treat RA
Myelofibrosis
Myelodysplasia
Myeloma

Question 9

Name six causes of decreased platlets (thrombocytopaenia) caused by an increase in breakdown?

Answer 9

Heparin
Splenomegaly
ITP 
DIC
Haemolytic uraemic syndrome
Thrombotic thrombocytopaenic purpura

Question 10

Name three causes of a hypovolaemic hyponatraemia?

Answer 10

Fuid loss - diarrohea and vomiting
Addison’s disease
Diuretics

Question 11

Name three causes of a euvolaemic hyponatraemia?

Answer 11

SIADH
Hypothyroidism
Psychogenic polydipsia

Question 12

Name four causes of a hypervolaemic hyponatraemia?

Answer 12

Heart failure
Renal failure
Liver failure (hypoalbuminaemia)
Hypothyroidism (can be euvolaemic)

Question 13

Name five causes of SIADH?

Answer 13

Small cell lung cancer
Infection
Abcess
Drugs (carbomazapine and antipsychotics)
Head injury

Question 14

Name four causes of hypokalaemia?

Answer 14

DIRE
Drugs - diuretics loop and thiazide
Intestinal loss - vomitting and diarrohoea
Renal tubule acidosis
Endocrine - Cushing’s and Conn’s syndrome

Question 15

Name five cases of hyperkalaemia?

Answer 15

DREAD
Drugs - Ace inhibitors and K+ sparing diuretics
Renal failure
Endocrine - Addison’s disease
Artefact with blood sample
DKA - be careful as the K+ drops with insulin