Misc Healthcare Topics
Chapter 8, 9, 10 (medium Weighted)
Compiled By Masterpiecesolutions
Edition: 2025/26
, Medical & Nursing | Misc Healthcare Topics I of IX pages
1. ANAEMIA
> A condition in which there is a deficiency of red cells or haemoglobin in the blood.There are about six types
anaemia.You should know about 4: sickle cell anaemia, iron deficiency anaemia, haemolytic, vitamin deficient
i.e megaloblastic anaemia (lack of B12, B9)SICKLE CELL ANAEMIA hereditary (two parent
from a crisis that causes a lot of pain as new red blood cells are being produced as they have irregular
due to a structural abnormality of haemoglobin. Can lead to increase in folic acid requirement.
(antibiotic) is used in prophylaxis of infection. (6+: 250 BD prevent/treatment QDS, under 6: 125mg)folic
2. HAEMOLYTIC ANAEMIA
*Epoetins (synthetic of erythropoietin) are used to treat the anaemia associated witherythropoetin deficiency
chronic kidney failure (erythropoetin stimulates the bone-marrow to produce more red blood cells)*MHRA
about severe reactions in patients being treated with erythropoetins. Some cases were fatal*It can also affect
3. Which drug is used in the prophylaxis of minor infections in patients with sickle cell anaemia?A.
D. Phenoxymethylpenicllin
4. IRON DEFICIENCY ANAEMIA
> blood test to find out type of anaemia Give iron supplementation only if there is demonstrable
state. This is to avoid iron overdose=>toxic. Antidote: desferoxamine Take extra care if patient is pregnant (do
dispense OTC, unless prescribed and check SCR) and severe asthma 100mg to 200mg of elemental iron usual
dose for treatment of iron -deficient anaemia. ***Familiarize yourself with ferrous table Iron can discolour
altered taste (metallic), abdominal discomfort, after last iron injection must wait 5 days to take oral iron Iron
cause constipation as a side-effect. Give with vitamin C (glass of orange juice) to increase absorption=>less
issues; ferrogotC Iron can cause GI side-effects. Consider taking after food if this occurs See interactions such
5. MEGALOBLASTIC ANAEMIA (vitamin deficiency: B12, B9)
*Occurs due to lack of vitamin B12 or (B9) folic acid.*Hydroxocobalamin (injection) has completely replaced
as the vit B12 form of choice for therapy in the UK*Hydroxocobalamin is retained in the body alotl onger and
6. VI TAMINS
ADEK Fat soluble Which drugs can lead to loss of fat soluble vitamin? Orlistat>celiac disease=>can cause
levels of ADEK CB water soluble; metformin causes low B12 VITAMIN A Found in liver pate, liver sausage,
liver, palm oil, carrots. Can improve vision. High doses can lead to toxicity: excess of vitamin A or D are more
to lead to toxicity VERY IMPORTANT vitamin A may be teratogenic in pregnancy (amount not known to
that would cause this). Advice pregnant women to avoid Vitamin A except on doctors advice. Note-
(a drug used to treat acne) is a vitamin A analogue. Pregnancy prevention programme (PPP) applies: (sodium
vitamin A analogues, mycophenalate motil, thalidomide), rule out pregnancy/pregnancy test (ideally 2 tests,
1), rx needs date as cannot be more than 7 days old with negative test result (day rx prescribed is day 1), 30
quantity, patient becomes pregnant: if taking SV, keep taking but refer urgent to gp, stop taking other drugs
7. VITAMIN C
Ascorbic acid Found in fruits etc (oranges, lemon, lime) Deficiency can lead to scurvy swollen gums and
margins. Vitamin C increases iron absorption. There is no evidence to show that vitamin C (anti-oxidant)
VITAMIN D Sun vital in production of vitmin D Many people in the UK are vit D deficient. Lack of vit D
cause rickets (low metabolism and low vitamin D) Supplements are readily available: maintenance dose
in regular vitamin D levels High doses can lead to toxicity! High vit D levels can lead to hypercalcaemia:
Misc Healthcare Topics 2025/26 Edition
Chapter 8, 9, 10 (medium Weighted)
Compiled By Masterpiecesolutions
Edition: 2025/26
, Medical & Nursing | Misc Healthcare Topics I of IX pages
1. ANAEMIA
> A condition in which there is a deficiency of red cells or haemoglobin in the blood.There are about six types
anaemia.You should know about 4: sickle cell anaemia, iron deficiency anaemia, haemolytic, vitamin deficient
i.e megaloblastic anaemia (lack of B12, B9)SICKLE CELL ANAEMIA hereditary (two parent
from a crisis that causes a lot of pain as new red blood cells are being produced as they have irregular
due to a structural abnormality of haemoglobin. Can lead to increase in folic acid requirement.
(antibiotic) is used in prophylaxis of infection. (6+: 250 BD prevent/treatment QDS, under 6: 125mg)folic
2. HAEMOLYTIC ANAEMIA
*Epoetins (synthetic of erythropoietin) are used to treat the anaemia associated witherythropoetin deficiency
chronic kidney failure (erythropoetin stimulates the bone-marrow to produce more red blood cells)*MHRA
about severe reactions in patients being treated with erythropoetins. Some cases were fatal*It can also affect
3. Which drug is used in the prophylaxis of minor infections in patients with sickle cell anaemia?A.
D. Phenoxymethylpenicllin
4. IRON DEFICIENCY ANAEMIA
> blood test to find out type of anaemia Give iron supplementation only if there is demonstrable
state. This is to avoid iron overdose=>toxic. Antidote: desferoxamine Take extra care if patient is pregnant (do
dispense OTC, unless prescribed and check SCR) and severe asthma 100mg to 200mg of elemental iron usual
dose for treatment of iron -deficient anaemia. ***Familiarize yourself with ferrous table Iron can discolour
altered taste (metallic), abdominal discomfort, after last iron injection must wait 5 days to take oral iron Iron
cause constipation as a side-effect. Give with vitamin C (glass of orange juice) to increase absorption=>less
issues; ferrogotC Iron can cause GI side-effects. Consider taking after food if this occurs See interactions such
5. MEGALOBLASTIC ANAEMIA (vitamin deficiency: B12, B9)
*Occurs due to lack of vitamin B12 or (B9) folic acid.*Hydroxocobalamin (injection) has completely replaced
as the vit B12 form of choice for therapy in the UK*Hydroxocobalamin is retained in the body alotl onger and
6. VI TAMINS
ADEK Fat soluble Which drugs can lead to loss of fat soluble vitamin? Orlistat>celiac disease=>can cause
levels of ADEK CB water soluble; metformin causes low B12 VITAMIN A Found in liver pate, liver sausage,
liver, palm oil, carrots. Can improve vision. High doses can lead to toxicity: excess of vitamin A or D are more
to lead to toxicity VERY IMPORTANT vitamin A may be teratogenic in pregnancy (amount not known to
that would cause this). Advice pregnant women to avoid Vitamin A except on doctors advice. Note-
(a drug used to treat acne) is a vitamin A analogue. Pregnancy prevention programme (PPP) applies: (sodium
vitamin A analogues, mycophenalate motil, thalidomide), rule out pregnancy/pregnancy test (ideally 2 tests,
1), rx needs date as cannot be more than 7 days old with negative test result (day rx prescribed is day 1), 30
quantity, patient becomes pregnant: if taking SV, keep taking but refer urgent to gp, stop taking other drugs
7. VITAMIN C
Ascorbic acid Found in fruits etc (oranges, lemon, lime) Deficiency can lead to scurvy swollen gums and
margins. Vitamin C increases iron absorption. There is no evidence to show that vitamin C (anti-oxidant)
VITAMIN D Sun vital in production of vitmin D Many people in the UK are vit D deficient. Lack of vit D
cause rickets (low metabolism and low vitamin D) Supplements are readily available: maintenance dose
in regular vitamin D levels High doses can lead to toxicity! High vit D levels can lead to hypercalcaemia:
Misc Healthcare Topics 2025/26 Edition
