Anemias

Question 1

whats erythropoiesis

Answer 1

the process of RBC production and regulated by cellular O2 requirements
stimulated by hypoxia and controlled by erythropoietin stimulates bone marrow to increase erythrocyte production

Question 2

3 building blocks of RBC

Answer 2

iron (can’t produce Hgb without it)
vitamin B12 (essential for DNA synthesis)
Folic Acid (necessary for DNA synthesis and RBC maturation)

Question 3

lab values of hematocrit, and what is it represents

Answer 3

Male (42%-52%)
Female (37%-47%)
The ratio of RBC to total volume in a sample

Question 4

what’s polycythemia vera

Answer 4

elevated hematocrit %
also effects WBC, platelets
increased production of RBC by bone marrow due to genetics or chronic hypoxia, blood becomes thick and hyper coagulable

Question 5

what’s CBC and what’s some things in it

Answer 5

complete blood count
WBC, platelet count, Hgb (hemoglobin count), Hct (Hematocrit)

Question 6

lab values of WBC, and what is it represents

Answer 6

5,000 to 10,000
how many white blood cells in a sample, if its elevated could mean infection, if lower could mean auto immune disorder

Question 7

lab values of Plts, and what is it represents

Answer 7

150,000 to 400,000
platelets, which help clotting

Question 8

what’s a reticulocyte

Answer 8

an immature RBC, circulate for about a day before becoming a mature RBC, therefor the count is a good measure of RBC production

Question 9

what’s anemia

Answer 9

deficiency in # of erythrocytes or quantity/quality of Hgb contained in the RBC

Question 10

general clinical manifestation of anemia

Answer 10

SOB, dyspnea, tachypnea, tachycardia, palpitations, syncope, fatigue, bone pn, headaches, pallor, sensitivity to cold

Question 11

what’s sickle cell anemia

Answer 11

hereditary condition whereby abnormal Hgb in the RBC lead to misshapen cells
sickled RBC are crescent shaped and cannot easily pass through vessels causes occlusions
cell lysis leads to the anemia

Question 12

what’s sickle cell crisis

Answer 12

pn, fever, swelling, tenderness, tachypnea, HTN, N/V

Question 13

nursing interventions for SCA

Answer 13

treatment (O2, IV fluids, pn meds, blood)
decrease symptoms (maintain adequate hydration, oxygenation, warm compress, avoid high altitudes, strenuous exercise)

Question 14

what’s iron deficiency anemia

Answer 14

iron loss is greater than iron intake, usually this develops slowly over the course of weeks to months, typically caused by malnutrition, can be caused by hemorrhage

Question 15

nursing interventions for iron deficiency anemia

Answer 15

treatment (usually oral ferrous sulfate, can take 2-3 months after the Hgb returns to normal, treat underlying cause, nutritional therapy, RBC transfusion)
educate (high iron foods, meat, eggs, leafy greens, iron supplements, monitor blood in stool)

Question 16

what’s B-12 deficiency

Answer 16

causes pernicious anemia, absence of intrinsic factor, IF is needed for absorption of B-12
Treated w/ oral, IM

Question 17

what can cause B-12 deficiency

Answer 17

surgery, chronic diseases of GI tract, excess ETOH, smoking, long term use of H2 histamine receptor blockers and PPI, strip vegetarian diets

Question 18

clinical manifestations of B-12 deficiency

Answer 18

general manifestations of anemia can develop slowly, GI issues, shiny tongue, ABD PN, A/N/V, neuromuscular issues (paresthesias of feet and hands)

Question 19

what’s folate deficiency (causes, treatment)

Answer 19

causes, diet, malabsorption syndromes, anorexia ETOH use, drugs
folic acid is needed for DNA synthesis
Treatment, folic acid replacements, increase folic acid in diet

Question 20

treatment for polycythemia vera

Answer 20

hydration, low dose aspirin, and therapeutic phlebotomy, pt’s may experience “burning” PN in hands

Question 21

What’s thalassemia

Answer 21

inadequate production of normal hemoglobin (genetic)

Question 22

what’s thrombocytopenia

Answer 22

reduction of platelets