Week 11 - Anemia Flashcards
what is anemia
- hematological disorder characterized by decreased number of RBCs, hgb, and hct
what can cause anemia (3)
- blood loss
- impaired production of erythrocytes (RBCs)
- increased destruction of RBCs
what can cause impaired production of RBCs (4)
- iron deficiency
- folic acid deficiency
- cobalamin deficiency
- decreased erythropoietin
what can cause increased RBC destruction (4)
- sickle cell disease
- medications
- incompatible blood
- trauma
what does anemia lead to`
- interruption in the transport of O2 to the tissues = tissue hypoxia
how is anemia diagnosed (3)
- history
- physical exam
- lab review of CBC
what are the clinical manifestations of anemia caused by
- the body’s response to tissue hypoxia
- depend on the severity of anemia
what symptoms are seen w anemia (12)
- skin color changes
- fatigue
- dizziness
- tachycardia (to try and compensate)
- tachypnea
- SOB
- impaired thought process
- headache
- irritability
- bone pain
- sensitivity to cold
- pruritis
what skin color changes may be present w anemia (2)
- pallor
- jaundice
what can cause iron deficiency anemia (4)
- inadequate dietary intake
- malabsorption
- blood loss
- hemolysis
what are 3 common symptoms of iron deficiency anemia
- pallor
- glossitis
- cheilitis
what is glossitis
- inflammation of the tongue
what is cheilitis
- inflammation of the lips
what is the main goal of therapy for anemia
- correcting the cause of anemia
what may be included in acute intervention of anemia to stabilize the pt (4)
- blood or blood product transfusion
- drug therapy
- volume replacement
- O2 therapy
what are some nursing interventions for anemia (3)
- manage fatigue
- nutritional therapy
- medications
what are some nursing interventions to help manage fatigue in a pt w anemia (4)
- encourage alternating rest & activity periods
- reduce unnecessary enviro stimuli
- educate on importance of prioritizing activities (ex. dont go for a walk right before lunch)
- provide assistance w ADLs (may be dizzy, fatigued, SOB)
what is included in nutritional therapy for anemia (4)
- consult dietician
- recommend a food diary
- monitor I&O (calorie counts)
- encourage foods that promote hematopoeisis
what are some foods that encourage hematopoiesis (6)
- protein (amino acids) (red meat, eggs, beans, organ meats)
- iron
- vitamin C
- vitamin B12 (cobalamin)
- folic acid
- vitamin B6
what is included in drug therapy for pts with anemia (3)
- oral iron
- IV/IM iron dextran & iron sucrose (rlly concentrated iron)
- blood transfusion (PRBC) –> if symptomatic
what are 2 examples of oral iron for mngmt of anemia
- ferrous sulfate
- ferrous gluconate
what should be noted w liquid iron
- if undiluted, may stain teeth
- should be diluted and consumed w straw
what side effects may occur w iron admin (3)
GI s/e:
- heart burn
- constipation
- diarrhea
to replenish the body’s iron stores, the pt needs to take iron therapy for how long?
- 2-3 months after the hb lvl returns to normal
