NURS 120 Final Exam Study Guide- West Coast University

DIFFERENT TYPES OF ANEMIA

Hypovolemic anemia manifestations:
 Weakness
 Stupor; irritability
 Pale, cool, moist skin
 Hypotension
 Tachycardia (rapid, weak, thready pulse)
 Hypoxia (restlessness, dyspnea)
 Hypothermia
 Pain

How does hypovolemic anemia occur?
 Abnormally low circulating blood volume due to blood loss. It can occur as a
result of surgery or trauma.

Nursing Interventions:
 Control bleeding
 Treat shock → O2 elevate lower extremities, keep warm
 Replace fluid → blood transfusion, plasma, dextran, NS (normal saline) or LR
(lactated ringer’s)
 Monitor vital signs
 Put patient in a Trendelenburg position when they are going into shock
o Modified Trendelenburg would be to lay them down on the floor and lift
their legs up

Iron deficiency anemia manifestations:
 Pallor
 Fatigue; weakness
 Dyspnea
 Angina
 Glossitis → burning tongue
 Headache
 Paresthesia

Groups at risk for iron deficiency anemia:
 Premenopausal and pregnant women
 Lower-class socioeconomic background
 Older adults & individuals experiencing chronic blood loss

Nursing Interventions:
 Check occult blood
 Ferrous sulfate 900 mg daily
 Oral or injection (Z track)
 Take with OJ for better absorption
 Monitor the stool if it’s black normal side effect

,  Diet high in iron
 Oxygen-sparing activity
*FERROUS SULFATE TABLETS SHOULD BE TAKEN BETWEEN MEALS TO HELP
ABSORB THE MEDICATION MORE EFFICIENTLY!!

Which foods are high in iron?
 Beans & lentils
 Tofu
 Dark leafy greens
 Cashew
 Whole-grain and enriched breads
 Lean beef
 Oysters
 Chicken
 Turkey
*VITAMIN C ENHANCES THE BODY’S ABSORPTION OF IRON !!

Pernicious anemia manifestations:
 Extreme weakness
 Dyspnea
 Fever
 Hypoxia
 Fatigue
 Weight loss
 Jaundice
 Pallor
 GI complaints
 Dysphagia
 Sore, burning tongue  smooth & erythematous
 Neurological symptoms
o Tingling of the hands and feet
o Disorientation
o Personality changes, behavior problems
o Partial or total paralysis

What is pernicious anemia?
 Absence of the intrinsic factor it is essential for the absorption of vitamin B12
(cyanobalmin)

What is the Schilling’s Test?
 It is done to determine whether a person is able to absorb Vitamin B12 from the
GI tract. If the radioactive B12 injection is not absorbed, then the patient is given
the diagnosis of pernicious anemia.

, Nursing Interventions for Pernicious Anemia:
 Vitamin B12 1,000 units IM
o Daily for 1 week  weekly for 1 month  monthly for life
 Folic acid supplement
 Iron replacement
 RBC transfusion
 Diet  high in protein, vitamins, and minerals


SICKLE CELL ANEMIA manifestations: (potassium & calcium)

 Dehydration

 Change in O2 tension in the body

 Loss of appetite

 Irritability

 Weakness

 Abdominal enlargement

 Joint and back pain

 Edema of extremities

 Causes HYPOKALEMIA

Nursing Interventions for SICKLE CELL ANEMIA:

 O2  increase it so every “normal” cell carries O2 to supply organs & tissues.

 Rest

 Increased fluid intake !!!

 Analgesics