NCA Test 4 Lecture 1
(Hematology) Study Set
What is the name for RBC, WBC? bloods main functions (4) - Answer RBC= erythrocytes
WBC= leukocytes
Blood's main function is to support the ability to transport O2 and CO2, maintain
intervascular volume, blood coagulation, and combat infection.
Anemia (what is it, common causes, think tissue hypoxia) - Answer A deficiency in the
number erythrocytes (RBCs), the quantity or quality of Hgb, and/or volume of RBCs
(Hematocrit)
Common condition but diverse number of causes.
Some common causes:
-Blood loss
-Impaired production of RBC (autoimmune, genetic, external)
-Increased destruction of RBC
*tissue hypoxia= s/s of anemia
Causes of Anemia (morphology, there is 3) - Answer -Decreased RBC production:
deficient nutrients, decreased erythropoietin, decreased iron availability)
-Blood loss (chronic, acute)
-Increased RBC Destruction (hemolysis, sickle cell, trauma)
Overview of Manifestations: Anemia (mild, moderate, severe with Hgb values) - Answer
Mild (Hgb ~10-12g/dL): Exertional dyspnea, fatigue, palpitations
Moderate (Hgb ~6-10g/dL): Dyspnea, fatigue, bounding pulse
Severe: (Hgb <6g/dL): Pallor, glossitis, smooth tongue, tachycardia and murmurs,
tachypnea, dyspnea at rest, bone pain
(Can see splenomegaly, jaundice (something is going on with destruction of RBC,
impacting the liver), and pruritis r/t hemolysis)
Types of Anemias (7) - Answer Iron-deficiency
, Folic Acid deficiency
Vitamin B12 deficiency
Anemia due to
Blood loss
Hemolytic Anemias
Sickle Cell Disease
Anemia of Chronic
Disease
*Can be some overlap: such as iron-
deficiency and blood loss
Three tests for anemia - Answer CBC, Reticulocyte count, peripheral blood smear.
Iron-Deficiency Anemia (cause, labs) - Answer ■Because of:
-Inadequate dietary intake
▪most common nutritional deficiency in the world
▪most susceptible are very young, those on poor diets, women in reproductive years
-Malabsorption (duodenum)
-Blood loss
■Labs include:
-Decreased RBC, Hgb, Hct, MCV, & serum iron, ferritin
-Increased TIBC
**Don't need to memorize labs just know you will see decrease in all but TIBC (total iron
binding capacity)
Oral Iron Preparations (adverse effect, contraindications, what to give iron with for
better absorption) - Answer ■Most significant adverse effects are GI-related such as
constipation, heartburn, and worsening ulcers
■BUT, antacids reduce absorption of iron
*Best absorbed in acidic environment, take 1hr before meals. If GI side effects are
severe take with food, but take with orange juice.
(Hematology) Study Set
What is the name for RBC, WBC? bloods main functions (4) - Answer RBC= erythrocytes
WBC= leukocytes
Blood's main function is to support the ability to transport O2 and CO2, maintain
intervascular volume, blood coagulation, and combat infection.
Anemia (what is it, common causes, think tissue hypoxia) - Answer A deficiency in the
number erythrocytes (RBCs), the quantity or quality of Hgb, and/or volume of RBCs
(Hematocrit)
Common condition but diverse number of causes.
Some common causes:
-Blood loss
-Impaired production of RBC (autoimmune, genetic, external)
-Increased destruction of RBC
*tissue hypoxia= s/s of anemia
Causes of Anemia (morphology, there is 3) - Answer -Decreased RBC production:
deficient nutrients, decreased erythropoietin, decreased iron availability)
-Blood loss (chronic, acute)
-Increased RBC Destruction (hemolysis, sickle cell, trauma)
Overview of Manifestations: Anemia (mild, moderate, severe with Hgb values) - Answer
Mild (Hgb ~10-12g/dL): Exertional dyspnea, fatigue, palpitations
Moderate (Hgb ~6-10g/dL): Dyspnea, fatigue, bounding pulse
Severe: (Hgb <6g/dL): Pallor, glossitis, smooth tongue, tachycardia and murmurs,
tachypnea, dyspnea at rest, bone pain
(Can see splenomegaly, jaundice (something is going on with destruction of RBC,
impacting the liver), and pruritis r/t hemolysis)
Types of Anemias (7) - Answer Iron-deficiency
, Folic Acid deficiency
Vitamin B12 deficiency
Anemia due to
Blood loss
Hemolytic Anemias
Sickle Cell Disease
Anemia of Chronic
Disease
*Can be some overlap: such as iron-
deficiency and blood loss
Three tests for anemia - Answer CBC, Reticulocyte count, peripheral blood smear.
Iron-Deficiency Anemia (cause, labs) - Answer ■Because of:
-Inadequate dietary intake
▪most common nutritional deficiency in the world
▪most susceptible are very young, those on poor diets, women in reproductive years
-Malabsorption (duodenum)
-Blood loss
■Labs include:
-Decreased RBC, Hgb, Hct, MCV, & serum iron, ferritin
-Increased TIBC
**Don't need to memorize labs just know you will see decrease in all but TIBC (total iron
binding capacity)
Oral Iron Preparations (adverse effect, contraindications, what to give iron with for
better absorption) - Answer ■Most significant adverse effects are GI-related such as
constipation, heartburn, and worsening ulcers
■BUT, antacids reduce absorption of iron
*Best absorbed in acidic environment, take 1hr before meals. If GI side effects are
severe take with food, but take with orange juice.
