Pathophysiology Exam 2 Blueprint
Chapter 10
1. Define the terms describing abnormalities in the blood.
This is a general objective that simply means the term definitions in the beginning of the
chapter are key to understanding the chapter content.
Hematocrit—percent by volume of cellular elements in blood—essentially erythrocytes
Hemoglobin—amount of hemoglobin per unit volume of blood
o Mean corpuscular volume (MCV)—indicates oxygen carrying capacity of blood
Hematopoiesis—development of blood cells from a single stem cell
o Erythropoiesis—production of RBCs
o Leukopoiesis—production of WBCs
o Thrombopoiesis—production of platelets
Erythropoietin (EPO)—hormone that originates from the kidneys which stimulates RBC
production in the red bone marrow in response to tissue hypoxia
Hemostasis—process of stopping bleeding
o Intrinsic (activated by endothelial injury IN blood vessel) and extrinsic pathways
(activated by tissue and platelet injury)
Pancytopenia—decrease in RBCs, WBCs, and platelets in the blood
Leukopenia—a decrease in WBCs
Leukocytosis—an increase in WBCs
Dyspnea—increased effort to breathe
Pallor—pale face
Microcytic—blood cells are smaller
o Occurs in iron-deficient anemia and thalassemia
Macrocytic—blood cells are large
o Occurs in pernicious anemia
Petechiae—flat, red, pinpoint hemorrhages on the skin
2. Describe and compare the pathophysiology, etiology, manifestations, diagnostic tests,
and treatment for each of the selected anemias: iron-deficiency, pernicious, aplastic, sickle
cell, and thalassemia.
The key is to be able to differentiate between these anemia
Iron deficiency anemia
Pathophysiology
o Insufficient iron impairs hemoglobin synthesis (iron sits on hemoglobin to change
its structure)
o Microcytic, hypochromic RBCs—result of low hemoglobin concentration in cells
Etiology (cause)
, o Dietary intake, chronic blood loss, duodenal absorption, severe liver disease,
infections and cancers
Signs and symptoms
o Pallor of the skin, fatigue, lethargy, irritability, degenerative changes (brittle hair
and ridged nails)
o Stomatitis and glossitis, inflammation in the mucosa and tongue
o Delayed healing and tachycardia, heart palpitations, dyspnea (shortness of breath),
possible fainting as the anemia becomes more severe
Diagnostic tests and treatment
o Lab tests demonstrate low values for hemoglobin and hematocrit. On microscopic
examination the erythrocytes appear hypochromic and microcytic
o Underlying cause must be identified and resolved if possible, treatment and
prognosis depend on cause.
o Iron rich foods/supplements may be administered
Pernicious anemia—Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Pathophysiology
o Lack of absorption of vitamin B12 due to lack of intrinsic factor secreted by
gastric mucosa
o Parietal cells can no longer produce hydrochloric acid which occurs with the
atrophy of the mucosa, resulting in a low level/absence of acid in gastric
secretions—achlorhydria
o Deficit of B12 absorption leads to impaired maturation of erythrocytes owing to
interference with DNA synthesis
Etiology
o Most common cause of vitamin B12 deficiency is malabsorption
Surgical procedures as gastrectomy also result as an outcome
o Dietary insufficiency is rare as the source of B12 is animal foods
Vegans/vegetarians need to include a B12 fortified food in daily intake
Signs and symptoms
o Tongue enlarged, red, sore and shiny
o Digestive discomfort
o Paresthesia in the extremities or loss of coordination and ataxia
Diagnostic tests
o Megaloblastic on microscopic examination, marrow is hyperactive, vitamin B12
level and the presence of hypochlorhydria or achlorhydria
Treatment
o Oral supplements, injections and replacement therapy
Aplastic anemia
Pathophysiology
Chapter 10
1. Define the terms describing abnormalities in the blood.
This is a general objective that simply means the term definitions in the beginning of the
chapter are key to understanding the chapter content.
Hematocrit—percent by volume of cellular elements in blood—essentially erythrocytes
Hemoglobin—amount of hemoglobin per unit volume of blood
o Mean corpuscular volume (MCV)—indicates oxygen carrying capacity of blood
Hematopoiesis—development of blood cells from a single stem cell
o Erythropoiesis—production of RBCs
o Leukopoiesis—production of WBCs
o Thrombopoiesis—production of platelets
Erythropoietin (EPO)—hormone that originates from the kidneys which stimulates RBC
production in the red bone marrow in response to tissue hypoxia
Hemostasis—process of stopping bleeding
o Intrinsic (activated by endothelial injury IN blood vessel) and extrinsic pathways
(activated by tissue and platelet injury)
Pancytopenia—decrease in RBCs, WBCs, and platelets in the blood
Leukopenia—a decrease in WBCs
Leukocytosis—an increase in WBCs
Dyspnea—increased effort to breathe
Pallor—pale face
Microcytic—blood cells are smaller
o Occurs in iron-deficient anemia and thalassemia
Macrocytic—blood cells are large
o Occurs in pernicious anemia
Petechiae—flat, red, pinpoint hemorrhages on the skin
2. Describe and compare the pathophysiology, etiology, manifestations, diagnostic tests,
and treatment for each of the selected anemias: iron-deficiency, pernicious, aplastic, sickle
cell, and thalassemia.
The key is to be able to differentiate between these anemia
Iron deficiency anemia
Pathophysiology
o Insufficient iron impairs hemoglobin synthesis (iron sits on hemoglobin to change
its structure)
o Microcytic, hypochromic RBCs—result of low hemoglobin concentration in cells
Etiology (cause)
, o Dietary intake, chronic blood loss, duodenal absorption, severe liver disease,
infections and cancers
Signs and symptoms
o Pallor of the skin, fatigue, lethargy, irritability, degenerative changes (brittle hair
and ridged nails)
o Stomatitis and glossitis, inflammation in the mucosa and tongue
o Delayed healing and tachycardia, heart palpitations, dyspnea (shortness of breath),
possible fainting as the anemia becomes more severe
Diagnostic tests and treatment
o Lab tests demonstrate low values for hemoglobin and hematocrit. On microscopic
examination the erythrocytes appear hypochromic and microcytic
o Underlying cause must be identified and resolved if possible, treatment and
prognosis depend on cause.
o Iron rich foods/supplements may be administered
Pernicious anemia—Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Pathophysiology
o Lack of absorption of vitamin B12 due to lack of intrinsic factor secreted by
gastric mucosa
o Parietal cells can no longer produce hydrochloric acid which occurs with the
atrophy of the mucosa, resulting in a low level/absence of acid in gastric
secretions—achlorhydria
o Deficit of B12 absorption leads to impaired maturation of erythrocytes owing to
interference with DNA synthesis
Etiology
o Most common cause of vitamin B12 deficiency is malabsorption
Surgical procedures as gastrectomy also result as an outcome
o Dietary insufficiency is rare as the source of B12 is animal foods
Vegans/vegetarians need to include a B12 fortified food in daily intake
Signs and symptoms
o Tongue enlarged, red, sore and shiny
o Digestive discomfort
o Paresthesia in the extremities or loss of coordination and ataxia
Diagnostic tests
o Megaloblastic on microscopic examination, marrow is hyperactive, vitamin B12
level and the presence of hypochlorhydria or achlorhydria
Treatment
o Oral supplements, injections and replacement therapy
Aplastic anemia
Pathophysiology
