Week 7 - Anemia Flashcards
Components of the blood slide
How RBC are made diagram
A low hemoglobin/hematocrit could signal ____
anemia
What lab test does Hb measure? (2)
- measures the total amount of hgb in the blood
- used as a rapid indirect measurement of RBC
What lab test does Hct measure
- measures the percentage of the total blood volume that is made up by the RBCs
What lab test do reticulocytes measure? (2)
- indication of the ability of the bone marrow to respond to anemia and make RBCs
- It is used to classify and
monitor therapy of anemias
What lab does serum iron measure?
- amount of iron found in hemoglobin
What is ferritin?
- The serum ferritin study is a good indicator of available iron stores in the body
What is transferrin? (2)
- Iron is bound to a globulin protein called transferrin and carried to the bone marrow for incorporation into hemoglobin
- Transferrin exists in
relationship to the need for iron
If iron stores are low, what about transferrin? How about if there is too much iron?
- When iron stores are low, transferrin levels increase
- transferrin is low when there is too much iron
What does serum B12 indicate?
- Blood levels of vitamin B12 help to indicate if there is a vitamin deficiency present impacting RBC production
What does folate in blood indicate?
if there is a folate deficiency impacting RBC production
What happens when we do not have enough RBC (anemia)? (2)
- blood cannot carry enough oxygen to cells
- without enough oxygen to part of the body, anemia symptoms can occur
What are the skin signs and symptoms of anemia? (3)
- General pallor (more noticeable on the ears, nail beds, palm creases, and around the mouth
- cool to touch
- patient does not tolerate cooler temperatures
What are the CV signs and symptoms of anemia? (3)
- Continuous rapid heartbeat that increases after meals and with activity
- severe anemia may have abnormal heart sounds (murmurs and gallops)
- orthostatic hypotension
What are the respiratory signs and symptoms of anemia? (2)`
- breathless on exertion
- decreased oxygen saturation levels
What are the neurological signs and symptoms of anemia? (3)
- fatigue
- increased need for sleep
- reduced energy levels
Anemia critical values
Hct critical values + S&S
What 3 types of anemia are due to decreased production of RBC?
- iron deficiency anemia
- Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia
- folic acid deficiency anemia
What anemia is due to blood loss (acute and chronic)?
bleeding
