anemia

Question 1

Patho for anemia

Answer 1

decreased RBC, HGB, HCT

iron deficiency: inadequate iron intake

pernicious anemia: inability to absorb vitamin B12; loss of intrinsic factor

aplastic anemia: pancytopenia

folic acid deficiency: adequate folic acid intake

Question 2

cause of anemia

Answer 2

• defect in bone marrow
• loss of RBCs (hemorrhage, bleeding, hemolytic process)
• hereditary disorders
• inadequate nutrition

Question 3

disease course and expected findings of anemia

Answer 3

pallor of ears, pale, spooning of nails, SOB, DOE, fatigue, beefy red tongue

iron deficiency: pallor, glossitis, cheilitis

pernicious: parasthesia, loss of balance, beefy red tongue

aplastic: fever, infections, bleeding

folic acid: weight loss, slow onset

Question 4

risk factors for anemia

Answer 4

blood loss, hemolysis, inadequate diet, bone marrow suppression, age

iron deficient: adolescents, vegetarians, PUD, OA

pernicious: OA, gastric diseases, proton pump inhibitors

aplastic: radiation therapy, meds, idiopathic

folic acid: poor nutrition, malabsorption, hemodialysis

Question 5

labs and diagnostics

Answer 5

• CBC count
• mean corpuscular volume (MCV): size of rbc
• mean corpuscular hgb (MCH): determines amount of hgb per rbc
• mean corpuscular hgb concentration (MCHC): hgb amount relative to size of cell
• reticulocytes: immature rbc
• serum ferritin: iron storage
• serum folate: needed for erythropoiesis
• serum iron: creates hemoglobin
• homocysteine: amino acid ; needs vitamin B12