Data Interpretation Flashcards
Causes of hypernatraemia
Dehydration
Drips (too much saline)
Drugs
Diabetes insipidus
Causes of microcytic anaemia
Iron deficiency anaemia
Thalassaemia
Sideroblastic anaemia
Causes of normocytic anaemia
Anaemia of chronic disease
Acute blood loss
Haemolytic anaemia
Renal failure (chronic)
Causes of macrocytic anaemia
B12*/folate deficiency
(‘megaloblastic anaemia’)
Excess alcohol
Liver disease (including
nonalcoholic causes)
Hypothyroidism
Haematological diseases beginning
with ‘M’: myeloproliferative,
myelodysplastic, multiple myeloma
Causes of neutrophilia
Bacterial infection
Tissue damage (inflammation/infarct/
malignancy)
Steroids
Causes of neutropenia
Viral infection
Chemotherapy or radiotherapy
Clozapine (antipsychotic)
Carbimazole (antithyroid)
Causes of lymphocytosis (high lymphocytes)
Viral infection
Lymphoma
Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
Causes of thrombocytopenia (low platelets)
Reduced production
Infection (usually viral)
Drugs
Myelodysplasia, myelofibrosis, myeloma
Causes of thrombocytopenia (low platelets)
Increased destruction
Heparin
Hypersplenism
DIC
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
HUS/thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
Causes of thrombocytosis (high platelets)
Reactive
Bleeding
Tissue damage (infection/inflammation/malignancy)
Post-splenectomy
Causes of thrombocytosis (high platelets)
Primary
Myeloproliferative disorders
Causes of hyponatraemia (hypovolaemic)
Fluid loss (especially diarrhoea/vomiting)
Addison’s disease
Diuretics (any type)
Causes of hyponatraemia (euvolaemia)
SIADH
Psychogenic polydipsia
Hypothyroidism
Causes of hyponatraemia (hypervolaemic)
Heart failure
Renal failure
Liver failure (causing hypoalbuminaemia)
Nutritional failure (causing hypoalbuminaemia)
Thyroid failure (hypothyroidism; can be euvolaemic too)
Causes of hypokalaemia (DIRE)
Drugs (loop and thiazide diuretics)
Inadequate intake or intestinal loss (diarrhoea/vomiting)
Renal tubular acidosis
Endocrine (Cushing’s and Conn’s syndromes)