NR 283 Pathophysiology Exam 3 Concept Review
Hematology
RBC-function- Erythrocytes (or RBC’s) are the most abundant cell type in the body
Its primary job is tissue oxygenation
The cell has 2 unique properties:
o A biconcave shape which makes it optimal for gas transport
o The capacity to be reversible deformed. The cells can change shape to make it
through all the different size vessels in the body
Erythrocytes have a lifespan of 120 days
Hemoglobin is the oxygen carrying protein of the erythrocyte that gives RBC’s their
color
Each erythrocyte has over 300 hemoglobin molecules; 1 HGB can carry 4 oxygen
molecules
Erythropoiesis is the creation of erythrocytes from the bone marrow
Erythropoietin-produced, what does it do- Erythropoietin is the hormone that stimulates the
production of erythrocytes.
o It is produced by the kidneys
Epogen (epoetin alpha) is indicated for the treatment of anemia due to chronic kidney disease
(CKD), including patients on dialysis and not on dialysis to decrease the need for red blood cell
(RBC) transfusion
Anemias-types/ S/S of each- Anemia is a decreased total number of erythrocytes or a decrease in the
quality or quantity of hemoglobin
Causes of anemia are:
o Impaired erythrocyte production
o Acute or chronic blood loss
o An increase in the destruction of erythrocytes
o A combination of all 3
Types of anemia
, pernicious anemia -It is caused by a vitamin b12 deficiency
The main problem is the absence of intrinsic factor which is an enzyme needed to absorb
vitamin b12 in the stomach
Absence of this factor can be genetic or can be related to problems with the stomach
P.A. is most commonly caused by people who have had their stomach or a part of their
stomach removed, however a history of alcohol use or smoking can cause it as well
PA takes years to develop so initial symptoms can be very non-specific
When your hemoglobin starts to be affected (when it decreases) symptoms include
weakness, fatigue, and paresthesia’s of feet and hands
folate deficiency anemia
Folate is another vitamin necessary for DNA synthesis of erythrocytes
Folate deficiency anemia is commonly seen in alcoholics and malnourished people
With this type, there is no enzyme responsible for making sure we absorb the folate. We
are strictly lacking an adequate amount
Folate is found in dark, leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, beans and nuts
o Folic acid is a synthesized form of folate
Clinical manifestations include:
o Cheilosis - fissures and scales in the mouth
o Stomatitis- inflammation of the mouth
painful ulcers of the tongue
Iron deficiency anemia- is the most common type of anemia
There are many causes, including insufficient iron in the diet, certain medications,
excessive menstrual bleeding in females, or ulcer’s
Iron is important because it is used for the production of HGB
The development occurs slowly through 3 stages:
o Body’s iron stores are depleted. Normal blood cell production occurs
o Now insufficient amounts of iron are transported to the marrow where iron deficit
RBC’s are produced with low amounts of HGB
o The HGB deficient cells enter circulation to replace the normal aging cells that
are getting ready to die
Clinical manifestations start occurring at stage 3
Hematology
RBC-function- Erythrocytes (or RBC’s) are the most abundant cell type in the body
Its primary job is tissue oxygenation
The cell has 2 unique properties:
o A biconcave shape which makes it optimal for gas transport
o The capacity to be reversible deformed. The cells can change shape to make it
through all the different size vessels in the body
Erythrocytes have a lifespan of 120 days
Hemoglobin is the oxygen carrying protein of the erythrocyte that gives RBC’s their
color
Each erythrocyte has over 300 hemoglobin molecules; 1 HGB can carry 4 oxygen
molecules
Erythropoiesis is the creation of erythrocytes from the bone marrow
Erythropoietin-produced, what does it do- Erythropoietin is the hormone that stimulates the
production of erythrocytes.
o It is produced by the kidneys
Epogen (epoetin alpha) is indicated for the treatment of anemia due to chronic kidney disease
(CKD), including patients on dialysis and not on dialysis to decrease the need for red blood cell
(RBC) transfusion
Anemias-types/ S/S of each- Anemia is a decreased total number of erythrocytes or a decrease in the
quality or quantity of hemoglobin
Causes of anemia are:
o Impaired erythrocyte production
o Acute or chronic blood loss
o An increase in the destruction of erythrocytes
o A combination of all 3
Types of anemia
, pernicious anemia -It is caused by a vitamin b12 deficiency
The main problem is the absence of intrinsic factor which is an enzyme needed to absorb
vitamin b12 in the stomach
Absence of this factor can be genetic or can be related to problems with the stomach
P.A. is most commonly caused by people who have had their stomach or a part of their
stomach removed, however a history of alcohol use or smoking can cause it as well
PA takes years to develop so initial symptoms can be very non-specific
When your hemoglobin starts to be affected (when it decreases) symptoms include
weakness, fatigue, and paresthesia’s of feet and hands
folate deficiency anemia
Folate is another vitamin necessary for DNA synthesis of erythrocytes
Folate deficiency anemia is commonly seen in alcoholics and malnourished people
With this type, there is no enzyme responsible for making sure we absorb the folate. We
are strictly lacking an adequate amount
Folate is found in dark, leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, beans and nuts
o Folic acid is a synthesized form of folate
Clinical manifestations include:
o Cheilosis - fissures and scales in the mouth
o Stomatitis- inflammation of the mouth
painful ulcers of the tongue
Iron deficiency anemia- is the most common type of anemia
There are many causes, including insufficient iron in the diet, certain medications,
excessive menstrual bleeding in females, or ulcer’s
Iron is important because it is used for the production of HGB
The development occurs slowly through 3 stages:
o Body’s iron stores are depleted. Normal blood cell production occurs
o Now insufficient amounts of iron are transported to the marrow where iron deficit
RBC’s are produced with low amounts of HGB
o The HGB deficient cells enter circulation to replace the normal aging cells that
are getting ready to die
Clinical manifestations start occurring at stage 3
