Questions & Answers
Phsyiologic manifestation of anemia - ANSWERSSevere fatigue, pallor, weakness,
dyspnea, dizziness
Increased RBC distribution on labs
Microcytic anemia - ANSWERSMCV <80fL
Small RBCs
i.e. iron deficiency anemia, sideroblastic, thalassemia
Macrocytic anemia - ANSWERSMCV >100fl
Large RBCs
i.e. B12 deficiency, folate deficiency
Normocytic anemia - ANSWERSMCV 80-99fl
normal size RBCs
i.e. hereditary spherocytosis, acute blood loss, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria
Hypochromic - ANSWERSdecreased hemoglobin
low MCHC
RBCs pale color
Hyperchromic - ANSWERSincreased hemoglobin
high MCHC
dark color
Normochromic - ANSWERSnormal amount of hemoglobin
normal MCHC
Normal color
Causes of vitamin B12 deficiency - ANSWERSDecreased nutritional intake, impaired
absorption
, Risk factors for Vitamin B12 deficiency - ANSWERSvegetarian, GI issues (h. pylori),
older adults
S/S of Vitamin B12 deficiency - ANSWERSfatigue, peripheral neuropathy in BLE
Causes of folic acid deficiency - ANSWERSdecreased dietary intake, increased
requirement, impaired utilization
Risk factors for folic acid deficency - ANSWERSalcoholism
Symptoms of folic acid deficiency - ANSWERScheilosis, stomatitis, painful ulcerations
of mucosa, GI tract sensitivity
Iron deficiency anemia - ANSWERSAccompanied by low ferritin and transferrin levels
Low MCHC
Microcytic, hypochromic
causes of iron deficiency anemia - ANSWERSdietary deficiency, impaired absorption,
increased requirement, chronic blood loss
Thalassemia - ANSWERSGenetic with many possible mutations
Low MCHC
Anemia of chronic disease/inflammation - ANSWERSInitially normocytic-normochromic
but changes to microcytic-hypochromic
caused by decreased erythropoiesis and impaired iron utilization in those with chronic
disease/inflammation
i.e. CHF, CKD, infections
Hemolytic anemia - ANSWERSpremature accelerated destruction of erythrocytes
Causes of hemolytic anemia - ANSWERSAcquired (transfusion reaction, hemolytic
disease of newborns, drug, infectious, etc.)
Genetic (structural defects, plasma protein mutation, enzyme deficiencies)
Aplastic anemia - ANSWERSnormal MCHC
Suspect if levels of circulating erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets are also
diminished
Sickle cell trait - ANSWERSAsymptomatic
Carry only one copy of hemoglobin gene
Sickle cell disease - ANSWERSSymptomatic
Carries two abnormal hemoglobin genes