Anaemia

Question 1

What are the signs and symptoms of iron def anaemia

Answer 1

• Tachycardia,
• Pallor,
• Dyspnoea,
• Muscle pain on exertion
• Fatigue
• Koilonychia,
• Pica
• Glossitis,
• Angular stomatitis,
• Hair loss

Question 2

What is the treatment for iron def anaemia?

Answer 2

Oral replacement with ferrous sulphate

Question 3

What is a symptom specific to B12 deficiency anaemia

Answer 3

Peripheral neuropathy

Question 4

What can cause a B12 def?

Answer 4

• Pregnancy,
• Oral contraceptive,
• Pernicious Anaemia,
• Terminal ileal disease,
• Strict vegan diet

Question 5

What is the treatment of a B12 def?

Answer 5

Hydroxocobalamin or Cyanocobalamin

Question 6

Describe features of folate def?

Answer 6

Can occur quickly due to small folate stores. Treated with 5mg folic acid daily

Question 7

Describe features of anaemia due to renal disease?

Answer 7

Occurs due to lack of erythropoietin so responds well to treatment of erythropoietin

Question 8

What are the two types of haemolytic anaemias and how can they arise?

Answer 8

Congenital spherocytosis and Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia. Can arise due prosthetic hear valves, DIC or RBC enzyme deficiency

Question 9

Name examples which can cause a microcytic, normocytic and macrocytic anaemia.

Answer 9

Microcytic - Iron deficiency and thalassaemia
Normocytic - Acute haemorrhage, anaemia of chronic disease and renal impairment.
Macrocytic - B12/folate deficiency, alcohol and drugs (methotrexate)

Question 10

Name two examples of how marrow failure can cause anaemia?

Answer 10

Myelodysplastic syndrome - Cancers which prevent immature red blood cells from maturing.
Aplastic anaemia - marrow doesn’t produce enough RBCs