NURS 6550N FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE (Hematologic ) (2 VERSIONS) / NURS6550N FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE (Hematologic ) (2 VERSIONS)(LATEST)| -WALDEN UNIVERSITY

,NURS 6550N FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE (Hematologic)
(2 VERSIONS)

, NURS 6550N FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE (Hematologic)

Hematologic/Lymphatic/Immune System

 Iron Deficiency Anemia
o Most common cause of anemia world wide
o Signs and Symptoms
 Fatigue
 Tachycardia
 Palpations
 Dyspnea on exertion
 Severe deficiency causes skin and mucosal changes (smooth
tongue, brittle nails, spooning of nails)
 Pica (craving non-iron foods
o Laboratory Findings
 Develops in stages
o First is depletion of iron stores without anemia followed by
anemia with normal red blood cell size (normal MCV)
followed by anemia with reduced MCV
 Ferritin: value of less than 12 ng/mL is a highly reliable
indicator of reduced iron stores. Anyone who is less than 30
ng/mL almost always indicates iron deficiency in anyone who
is anemic.
 Platelet: commonly increased but usually remains under
800,000 mcL
o Differential Dx: anemia of chronic disease, thalassemia, lead
poisoning, congenital X-linked sideroblastic anemia
o Treatment:
 Oral Iron: 325 mg ferrous sulfate on empty stomach. Results
usually seen within 2 weeks. Continue treatment for 3-6 months
 Parenteral Iron: Indicated for intolerance of or refractoriness to
oral iron. Most patients require 1-1.5 g
 Anemia of Chronic Disease
o Signs and Symptoms
 Clinical features are those of the causative condition
o Labs
 Hct rarely falls below 60% of baseline
 MCV usually normal or slightly reduced
 Red blood cell morphology is usually normal