Anemia

Question 1

Function of Plasma

Answer 1

Transports nutrients, hormones, & proteins

Question 2

Plasma

Answer 2

Yellow watery liquid that makes up about 55% of the body’s blood volume

Question 3

Thrombocytes

Answer 3

Platelets - form clots to stop bleeding

Question 4

Platelets make up….

Answer 4

Less than 1% of blood

Question 5

Erythrocytes

Answer 5

Red Blood Cells - Carry fresh oxygen through the body and remove carbon dioxide

Question 6

Leukocytes

Answer 6

White blood cells - Part of body’s immune system; detect and fight viruses & bacteria

Question 7

What is anemia?

Answer 7

• Deficiency in RBCs
• Deficiency in HGE (hemoglobin)
  AND/OR
• Deficiency in volume of packed RBCs (Hematocrit)

Question 8

Normocytic, normochromic RBCs

Answer 8

Normal size & color

Question 9

Microcytic, hypochromic RBCs

Answer 9

Small in size & little color

Question 10

Macrocytic/megaloblastic, normochromic

Answer 10

Large in size & normal color

Question 11

How is anemia diagnosed?

Answer 11

CBC panel, blood smear, & reticulocyte count

Question 12

Is anemia a primary or secondary problem?

Answer 12

It can be primary or a secondary consequence of a disease or disorder

Question 13

Etiology of anemia

Answer 13

• Blood loss
• Decrease in RBC production
• Increase in RBC destruction

Question 14

Tissue Hypoxia

Answer 14

An absence of enough oxygen in the tissues to sustain bodily functions

Question 15

Why can any RBC disorder lead to tissue hypoxia?

Answer 15

RBCs have hemoglobin & that is the O2 carrying protein

Question 16

Normal Hgb in female & male

Answer 16

Female: 12-16

Male: 13.5-17.5

Question 17

Mild Anemia Hgb

Answer 17

10-12

Question 18

Moderate Anemia Hg

Answer 18

6-10

Question 19

Severe Anemia Hgb

Answer 19

<6

Question 20

General symptoms of anemia

Answer 20

• Headaches
• Fatigue/weakness
• Cold hands/feet
• Yellowish skin, pallor, pruritus (itchy skin)
• Increased HR, chest pain, murmurs
• Dizzy/light headed
• Dyspnea

Question 21

Symptoms of anemia in the elderly

Answer 21

• Confusion, ataxia (impaired coordination), & fatigue

Question 22

Cobalamin

Answer 22

Vitamin B12

Question 23

Cobalamin Deficiency

Answer 23

Megaloblastic anemia; the body can’t make enough healthy RBCs b/c it doesn’t have enough Vitamin B12

Question 24

Cobalamin Deficiency occurs in patients who…

Answer 24

• Have gastric issues or surgeries - especially those involving the ileum
• Smokers
• Excess alcohol consumption
• Strict vegetarians

Question 25

Why do people with GI issues have a problem with Cobalamin Deficiency?

Answer 25

They are unable to absorb cobalamin properly

Question 26

Why are vegetarians more likely to have a Cobalamin Deficiency?

Answer 26

Because of the lack of meat and vitamin B12 rich foods. Vitamin B12 isn't as easy to absorb from vegetables as it is from meat

Question 27

Primary body systems affected by Cobalamin deficiency

Answer 27

GI & neuromuscular

Question 28

GI symptoms of Cobalamin deficiency

Answer 28

- Anorexia - Nausea/vomiting - Abdominal pain

Question 29

Neuromuscular symptoms of Cobalamin deficiency

Answer 29

- Weakness/muscle weakness - Ataxia (impaired coordination) - Paresthesia (pins/needles feeling) - Reduced position sense - Impaired thought process

Question 30

Treatments for Cobalamin Deficiency

Answer 30

Parenteral vitamin B12, or intranasal Nascobal

Question 31

Life expectancy of untreated Cobalamin Deficiency

Answer 31

1-3 yrs

Question 32

Aplastic Anemia

Answer 32

Rare condition that happens when your bone marrow cannot produce enough new blood cells for your body to work

Question 33

Pancytopenia

Answer 33

Condition in which there are a lower than normal number of RBCs, WBCs, & platelets in the blood

Question 34

Etiology & onset

Answer 34

- Can be born with it - Autoimmune diseases - T cells target and destroy hematopoietic stem cells - Abrupt or gradual onset

Question 35

Diagnostic Tests

Answer 35

- CBC - Bone marrow biopsy to confirm findings from CBC

Question 36

Symptoms of Aplastic Anemia

Answer 36

- General symptoms of anemia - Thrombocytopenia - Increase susceptibility to infection (Low WBCs) - Septic shock - Death

Question 37

Thrombocytopenia

Answer 37

Low platelets lead to increased risk of bleeding

Question 38

Treatment for Aplastic Anemia

Answer 38

- Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (as long as the patient is younger & and has few blood transfusions) - Immunosuppressive therapy - Ongoing supportive blood transfusions - If severe, the prognosis is poor

Question 39

Why can a patient that has had many blood transfusions not have a hematopoietic stem cell transplant?

Answer 39

The more blood transfusions you have the more risk of your body rejecting the new blood

Question 40

Hemolytic Anemia

Answer 40

RBCs are destroyed faster than they are replaced

Question 41

Intrinsic factors causing Hemolytic Anemia

Answer 41

Result from defects in RBCs themselves or hereditary

Question 42

Extrinsic factors causing Hemolytic Anemia

Answer 42

RBCs are normal but external factors cause damage - Dialysis or bypass machines - Parasites: Malaria - Autoimmune diseases: Lupus - Blood transfusion reactions

Question 43

Symptoms of Hemolytic Anemia

Answer 43

- General symptoms of anemia - Jaundice - Splenomegaly - Hepatomegaly - Altered renal function

Question 44

Why do people have altered renal function with Hemolytic Anemia?

Answer 44

Their kidneys are working overtime to get rid of the waste in the blood so tubules get clogged

Question 45

Splenomegaly

Answer 45

Enlargement of spleen

Question 46

Hepatomegaly

Answer 46

Enlargement of the liver

Question 47

Treatment for Hemolytic Anemia

Answer 47

-Supportive care - remove the causative agent - Possible immunosuppressive agents

Question 48

Nursing Management/Interventions for anemia

Answer 48

- Correcting the underlying cause is main goal - Acute Inverventions - Symptom management - Education on dietary & lifestyle changes (decrease alcohol, smoking cessation)

Question 49

Acute interventions for anemia

Answer 49

- Blood transfusions - Drug therapy - O2 therapy (for hypoxia) - Aggressive hydration/electrolyte replacement (for kidney injury in hemolytic anemia)

Question 50

What kind of diet is best for Cobalamin deficiency?

Answer 50

Meat, salmon, dairy, eggs, enriched grains