Wk 1 Polycythemia Flashcards
Too many RBCs increases blood __
viscosity
Increased blood viscosity leads to __
hypertension
What is relative polycythemia?
An isolated decrease in plasma volume which elevates the hemoglobin, hematocrit, and rbc count
Relative polycythemia is relative to the amount of __ in circulation
plasma
What are two etiologies of relative polycythemia?
Severe dehydration and smoker’s polycythemia
What is a normal hematocrit?
45%
What is a low hematocrit?
30%
What is a polycythemia hematocrit?
70%
What is smoker’s polycythemia?
high plasma red blood cell (RBC) concentration due to increased RBC count and decreased plasma volume, attributable to chronic tobacco smoking
If someone stops smoking, will their polycythemia go away?
Yes
What is primary polycythemia called?
Polycythemia vera
In what age group is polycythemia vera usually seen?
People over the age of 60
What is polycythemia vera?
An overproduction of red blood cells
What are two causes of polycythemia?
Neoplastic disease
Uncontrolled proliferation
What is the pathogenesis of polycythemia vera?
A single stem cell mutates into a cell that overproduces all blood cells
What do patients with polycythemia complain of? (4)
Headache
Fatigue
Weight loss
Dyspnea
3 clinical manifestations of a patient with polycythemia vera
Hypertension
Clotting problems
Ruddy color
Polycythemia vera is considered a __ disease
malignant
Polycythemia vera is a precursor to __
leukemia
Secondary polycythemia is a compensatory response to __ __
tissue hypoxia
Who develops secondary polycythemia?
chronic pulmonary and cardiac problem patients
5 risk factors for secondary polycythemia
chronic hypoxia living at high altitudes smoking genetics long-term exposure to carbon monoxide
What is chronic mountain disease?
When someone who lives at high altitudes develops polycythemia due to the lower oxygen concentration in the air
Who might be at risk for long-term exposure to carbon monoxide? (3)
Working in tunnels
High levels of pollutants
Garage attendants
5 complications of decreased blood flow
DVT Hemorrhage Angina Cerebral insufficiency TIAs
What are TIAs?
transient ischemic attacks
What is a transient ischemic attack?
Symptoms of a stroke that last for several minutes, but usually does not cause long term damage
5 clinical manifestations of polycythemia
increased blood viscosity increased blood flow hypermetabolism high rbc count high h&h
Two symptoms associated with high rbc count and high h&h
Pruritus
Pain in fingers and toes
Why does polycythemia lead to hypermetabolism?
Increased energy to move blood throughout body
