CPHON Exam Study Guide | 140 Questions with 100% Correct Answers | Verified | Latest Update 2024

Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia is a group of disorders characterized by - malfunction of the immune system where antibodies are produced against antigens on the surface of RBSs, resulting in hemolysis T/F RBC survival is proportional to the amount of antibody on the RBC surface; therefore the greater the amount of antibody the more rapidly the RBC is destroyed. - True Intravascular Hemolysis is - - RBC lysis in circulation - Antibodies bind to the RBC membrane therefore activating the complement cascade - damaged membrane causes increased osmotic pressure within cell and the cell bursts Extravascular hemolysis is - occurs when complement fixation to RBC fails to activate complement cascade - the complement on the RBC surface interacts with receptors in macrophages in the lungs, liver, and spleen -> RBC phagocytosis Causes of AIHA (4) - 1. Autoimmune disorders (LUPUS) 2. Infections (hepatitis, EBV, myco pneu) 3. Drugs (peni and quinine) 4. Hematologic disorders(Evan's syndrome and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria) Incidence of AIHA - 1 case per 80,000 persons Clinical Symptoms of Severe AIHA - - - pallor - jaundice - fatigue - tachycardia -hypoxia --> organ damage - splenomagaly What labs should be ordered if AIHA is suspected? - cbc d/p, retic, peripheral smear, Coombs test, bilirubin, LDH, and haptoglobin