RBC Disorders

Question 1

reticulocytes

Answer 1

rate of RBC production

indicator of how active bone marrow is at pumping out RBCs

Question 2

hemoglobin

Answer 2

Hb content in blood

Question 3

hematocrit

Answer 3

volume of cells in 100mL of blood (RBC count)

Question 4

mean corpuscular volume (MCV)

Answer 4

size of the RBC

normocytic

Question 5

mean corpuscular Hb concentration (MCHC)

Answer 5

concentration of Hb in RBC

normochromic

Question 6

ferratin

Answer 6

measure of body’s iron stores

iron bound to ferratin protein and stored in liver

Question 7

hypochromic

Answer 7

MCHC –> pale cell (not enough Hb packed into cell relative to its size)

Question 8

macrocytic

Answer 8

RBC too big (too much time in maturation –> cannot fit through capillary bed)

Question 9

microcytic

Answer 9

RBC too small (not very much Hb within; released before they reach full size)

Question 10

erythrocytes

Answer 10

erythropoeisis –> reticuloctyes are released from red bone marrow (immature, no biconcave shape, not as flexible = cannot function as well) –>

erythroctyes (RBCs) = mature, biconcave disc, flexible; contains Hb

lifespan 120 days
no nuclei or mitochondria

Question 11

erythropoeitin (EPO)

Answer 11

stimulates RBC production

not enough O2 in blood –> kidney senses drop in partial pressure –> produces EPO (acts on red bone marrow to produce RBCs)

Question 12

hemoglobin synthesis

Answer 12

rate depends on iron availability

if we do not have Hb –> RBC synthesis is impacted –> smaller cells

Question 13

transferrin

Answer 13

iron transported (iron transported in blood to red bone marrow –> used in synthesis of RBC)

Question 14

breakdown of Hb

Answer 14

aged RBCs go to spleen

body reuses components –> Hb broken into heme (iron) and globin (AA chain) –> iron reused to make new RBCs

Question 15

anemia

Answer 15

deficient RBC production or insufficient Hb

Question 16

common lab test of all anemias

Answer 16

low Hb

low hematocrit

Question 17

Hb deficit caused by

Answer 17

reduction in total number of RBCs

decrease in quality/quality of Hb

deficit = reduction in O2 carrying capacity –> impacts how our other tissues are able to operate

Question 18

typical anemia manifestations

Answer 18

fatigue

tachycardia

pallor

dyspnea

Question 19

persisting anemia

Answer 19

oxygen deficit prolonged –> decreased regeneration of epithelial cells

1. digestive tract becomes inflamed and ulcered (stomatitis)
2. inflamed and cracked lips
3. hair and skin brittle
4. dysphasia (cannot get words out)

severe = angina or CHF

Question 20

iron deficiency anemia: lab test

Answer 20

low ferratin

low MCHC (hypochromic)

low MCV (microcytic)

Question 21

IDA: manifestations

Answer 21

typical of anemia

pica

Question 22

IDA: causes

Answer 22

1. increased requirements
2. decreased intake
3. decreased absorption
4. increased loss (acute and chronic)

Question 23

megaloblastic anemia

Answer 23

large, immature blood cells (macrocytic)

folic acid deficiency or perniculous anemia

folic acid –> improved with diet or supplement

PA –> not improved with diet

Question 24

low folic acid levels due to

Answer 24

medication (methotrexate)

increased demand (pregnancy, puberty, exercise)

impaired absorption (alcoholism. CD)

Question 25

perniculous anemia

Answer 25

vitamin B12 deficiency lack of absorption of b12 (due to lack of intrinsic factor) large, immature, nucleated RBCs (spend more time in DNA synthesis) carry less Hb (relative to their size) and have shorter life span

Question 26

PA: lab test

Answer 26

normal ferratin low B12 normal MCHC high MCV

Question 27

PA: manifestations

Answer 27

typical anemia tongue enlarged (red, shiny, sore) digestive discomfort feelings of pins and needles, tingling in limbs

Question 28

aplastic anemia

Answer 28

impairment or failure in bone marrow pancytopenia --> reduction in all 3 stem lines

Question 29

aplastic lab tests:

Answer 29

normal ferratin normal MCHC normal MCV low RBC

Question 30

aplastic: signs and symptoms

Answer 30

leukopenia --> increased infection thrombocytopenia --> bleed and bruise more easily typical anemia

Question 31

AA: causes

Answer 31

cancer or cancer treatment genetic (hereditary) viruses (Hep C)

Question 32

AA: treatment

Answer 32

treat underlying cause; transfusion may be necessary or bone marrow transplant

Question 33

polycythemia

Answer 33

too many RBCs high RBC count (hematocrit > 50%)

Question 34

primary polycythemia

Answer 34

polycythemia vera neoplastic disorder increased production of RBC and other cells in bone marrow not EPO issue (Serum levels low)

Question 35

secondary polycythemia

Answer 35

erythrocytosis prolonged hypoxia --> increase in RBCs (EPO secretion high) compensation mechanism respiratory disease or altitude

Question 36

poly: manifestations

Answer 36

distended BVs (sluggish blood flow) increased BP hypertrophied heart thromboses and infarctions hepatomegaly and splenomegaly dyspnea headaches visual disturbances