Anemia
Definition:
➔ Deficiency in:
◆ Number of erythrocytes
◆ Hemoglobin- quantity and quality
◆ Volume of packed RBCs- Hematocrit
Many causes
Manifestation of a pathological problem
Diagnosed by 3 things:
➔ CBC
➔ Reticulocyte count (immature RBC)
➔ Peripheral blood smear
Anemia clinical manifestations: (Red=severe anemia)
➔ Eyes
◆ Yellowing
➔ Skin
◆ Paleness
◆ Coldness
◆ Yellowing
➔ Respiratory
◆ Shortness of breath
➔ Muscular
◆ Weakness
➔ Intestinal
◆ Changed stool color
➔ Central
◆ Fatigue
◆ Dizziness
◆ Fainting
➔ Blood vessels
◆ Low blood pressure
➔ Heart
◆ Palpitations
◆ Rapid heart rate
◆ Chest pain
◆ Angina
◆ Heart attack
, ➔ Spleen
◆ Enlargement
Goal: to correct the cause of anemia
Nursing interventions:
➔ Periods of rest
➔ Prioritize activities
➔ Blood transfusion
➔ Ensure proper nutrition
➔ Oxygen therapy
➔ Help with activities
➔ Monitor patient
➔ Drug therapy
◆ Erythopoietin
◆ Supplements
Iron deficiency anemia
The most common nutritional disorder in the world
Going to occur when the body uses up the stored iron that it has
Must determine the cause:
➔ Inadequate dietary intake
➔ Malabsorption (duodenum)
➔ Blood loss (GI, GU)
➔ Hemolysis (destruction of RBC)
Clinical manifestations
➔ Pallor
➔ Glossitis (inflammation of the tongue)
➔ Cheilitis (inflammation of the lips)
➔ Headache
➔ Parethesias (numbness and tingling of the hands and feet)
➔ Burning tongue
Diagnostic Studies
➔ Stool occult blood
➔ Endoscopy
➔ Colonoscopy
➔ Bone marrow biopsy if tests are inconclusive