Applied Pathophysiology Study Set with Questions and Answers

Anemia Definition Reduction in the total number of erythrocytes (RBCs) in the circulating blood OR Decrease in quantity OR quality of Hb This results in ↓O2 carrying capacity of the blood Hypoxemia Hypoxia Causes Impaired erythrocyte production Blood loss (acute/chronic) Increased erythrocyte destruction Mild S/S Fatigue/Weakness/Dizzy Pallor (skin and mucus membranes) Cold hands and feet Nail changes (become brittle) Hair loss Dangerous S/S SOB/Dyspnea Chest pain/Arrhythmias/Tachycardia Orthostatic hypotension or syncope Decreased growth and development Neuro. S/S (B12 def) Mild anemia may only cause S/S during exertion Classification Of Anemia - RBC Indices MCterm-48V = Mean Cell volume; the average volume of a RBC MCH = Mean Cell Hemoglobin; the average mass of Hb per RBC (Hb per cell - this will change depending on size of RBC - bigger RBC will generally have more Hb) MCHC = Mean Cell Hemoglobin Concentration; the average concentration of Hb in a given volume of packed RBC RDW = Red Cell Distribution Width; measure of variation of RBC volume, higher value = more variation in size #1 Determines if an anemia is microcytic, normocytic, or macrocytic #2 Determines how much Hb is in a RBC #3 Determines if a RBC is Hypochromic or Normochromic Anemia of acute blood loss Bleeding Trauma, peptic ulcer, hemorrhoids, GI bleed Hct is low d/t hemodilution - shift of fluid from the interstitial space to compensate for loss Normocytic, Normochrom