WEEK 1 Edapt:
Introduction to Anemia
Key Concepts
, lOMoARcPSD|51648332
Introduction to Anemia
Blood circulation is necessary to transport substances required for tissue
cellular metabolism, eliminate metabolic waste products, provide defense
against invading microorganisms and injuries, and regulate acid-base
balance.
Anemia is a disorder characterized by a deficiency in the number of red
blood cells or a decrease in the quantity of hemoglobin in the blood. Red
blood cells and hemoglobin are crucial for transporting oxygen from the
lungs to the body's tissues and organs.
This learning module focuses on the disease process of anemia and enables
you to meet the following course outcomes:
CO 1: Analyze pathophysiologic mechanisms associated with selected
disease states across the lifespan.
CO 2: Examine the way in which homeostatic, adaptive, and
compensatory physiological mechanisms can be supported and/or
altered through specific therapeutic interventions across the lifespan.
CO 3: Distinguish risk factors associated with selected disease states
across the lifespan.
CO 4: Integrate advanced pathophysiological concepts in the diagnosis
and treatment of health problems in selected populations.
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, lOMoARcPSD|51648332
For a client with a hemoglobin level of 8.3 g/dL, which indicates anemia, the
nurse practitioner should expect the following signs and symptoms:
Signs and Symptoms the NP Should Expect:
1. Fatigue
2. Dizziness
3. Exertional dyspnea
4. Pallor
Anemia is a reduction in the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood due to a lack
of circulating red blood cells or a decrease in the quality or quantity of
hemoglobin. A normal hemoglobin level is 12.0–17.0 g/dL. The client has a
low hemoglobin level; therefore, the NP should expect the client to exhibit
clinical manifestations of anemia such as weakness, fatigue, pallor, muscle
pain, increased respiratory rate, exertional dyspnea, dizziness, and fainting.
Hypertension and bradycardia are not associated with anemia.
Arterial Oxygen Levels
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, lOMoARcPSD|51648332
Considering the pathophysiology of anemia, when arterial oxygen levels are
low, the kidneys increase production and excretion of erythropoietin to
stimulate the bone marrow to increase red blood cell production.
When arterial oxygen levels are low, the kidneys increase production and
excretion of erythropoietin to stimulate the bone marrow to increase red
blood cell production.
Red blood cells are produced within the bone marrow through the process of
erythropoiesis:
Decreased arterial oxygen levels results in tissue hypoxia.
Tissue hypoxia stimulates the kidneys to increase production and
excretion of erythropoietin.
Erythropoietin binds to erythropoietin receptors in the bone marrow,
resulting in increased production of red blood cells.
An increase in red blood cells often corrects tissue hypoxia.
Improved tissue hypoxia signals the kidneys to reduce production and
excretion of erythropoietin to a normal level.
Considering the pathophysiology of anemia, when the serum erythropoietin
level is high, it is anticipated that the hematocrit will be low, and when the
serum erythropoietin level is low, it is anticipated that the hematocrit will be
high.
When the serum erythropoietin level is high, it is anticipated that the
hematocrit will be low, and when the serum erythropoietin level is low, it is
anticipated that the hematocrit will be high.
Increased production and excretion of erythropoietin is stimulated by tissue
hypoxia, associated with low hemoglobin and hematocrit levels. When
hemoglobin and hematocrit levels are normal, the production and excretion
of erythropoietin returns to normal levels. When hemoglobin and hematocrit
levels are high, the production and excretion of erythropoietin is low.
Normal Red Blood Cell Production
Erythrocytes are red blood cells that transport gas to and from the lungs and
tissue cells. Adequate supplies of protein, vitamins, and minerals are
necessary for normal erythrocyte production.
Downloaded by Benjamin Luca ()
Introduction to Anemia
Key Concepts
, lOMoARcPSD|51648332
Introduction to Anemia
Blood circulation is necessary to transport substances required for tissue
cellular metabolism, eliminate metabolic waste products, provide defense
against invading microorganisms and injuries, and regulate acid-base
balance.
Anemia is a disorder characterized by a deficiency in the number of red
blood cells or a decrease in the quantity of hemoglobin in the blood. Red
blood cells and hemoglobin are crucial for transporting oxygen from the
lungs to the body's tissues and organs.
This learning module focuses on the disease process of anemia and enables
you to meet the following course outcomes:
CO 1: Analyze pathophysiologic mechanisms associated with selected
disease states across the lifespan.
CO 2: Examine the way in which homeostatic, adaptive, and
compensatory physiological mechanisms can be supported and/or
altered through specific therapeutic interventions across the lifespan.
CO 3: Distinguish risk factors associated with selected disease states
across the lifespan.
CO 4: Integrate advanced pathophysiological concepts in the diagnosis
and treatment of health problems in selected populations.
Downloaded by Benjamin Luca ()
, lOMoARcPSD|51648332
For a client with a hemoglobin level of 8.3 g/dL, which indicates anemia, the
nurse practitioner should expect the following signs and symptoms:
Signs and Symptoms the NP Should Expect:
1. Fatigue
2. Dizziness
3. Exertional dyspnea
4. Pallor
Anemia is a reduction in the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood due to a lack
of circulating red blood cells or a decrease in the quality or quantity of
hemoglobin. A normal hemoglobin level is 12.0–17.0 g/dL. The client has a
low hemoglobin level; therefore, the NP should expect the client to exhibit
clinical manifestations of anemia such as weakness, fatigue, pallor, muscle
pain, increased respiratory rate, exertional dyspnea, dizziness, and fainting.
Hypertension and bradycardia are not associated with anemia.
Arterial Oxygen Levels
Downloaded by Benjamin Luca ()
, lOMoARcPSD|51648332
Considering the pathophysiology of anemia, when arterial oxygen levels are
low, the kidneys increase production and excretion of erythropoietin to
stimulate the bone marrow to increase red blood cell production.
When arterial oxygen levels are low, the kidneys increase production and
excretion of erythropoietin to stimulate the bone marrow to increase red
blood cell production.
Red blood cells are produced within the bone marrow through the process of
erythropoiesis:
Decreased arterial oxygen levels results in tissue hypoxia.
Tissue hypoxia stimulates the kidneys to increase production and
excretion of erythropoietin.
Erythropoietin binds to erythropoietin receptors in the bone marrow,
resulting in increased production of red blood cells.
An increase in red blood cells often corrects tissue hypoxia.
Improved tissue hypoxia signals the kidneys to reduce production and
excretion of erythropoietin to a normal level.
Considering the pathophysiology of anemia, when the serum erythropoietin
level is high, it is anticipated that the hematocrit will be low, and when the
serum erythropoietin level is low, it is anticipated that the hematocrit will be
high.
When the serum erythropoietin level is high, it is anticipated that the
hematocrit will be low, and when the serum erythropoietin level is low, it is
anticipated that the hematocrit will be high.
Increased production and excretion of erythropoietin is stimulated by tissue
hypoxia, associated with low hemoglobin and hematocrit levels. When
hemoglobin and hematocrit levels are normal, the production and excretion
of erythropoietin returns to normal levels. When hemoglobin and hematocrit
levels are high, the production and excretion of erythropoietin is low.
Normal Red Blood Cell Production
Erythrocytes are red blood cells that transport gas to and from the lungs and
tissue cells. Adequate supplies of protein, vitamins, and minerals are
necessary for normal erythrocyte production.
Downloaded by Benjamin Luca ()
