Practical Nursing PNH301 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Malabsorption, Sympathectomy, Embolectomy
26 Feb 2018
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Reduction in either the number of red blood cells, the amount of hemoglobin, or the hematocrit. Reduced rbcs result in tissue hypoxia: hypoxia results in clinical sign (not a specific disease); anemia is a manifestation of several abnormal conditions. Extrinsic- eg: antibodies (autoimmune: decreased erythrocyte production-eg: iron. Blood loss- eg: acute (trauma) chronic (gastritis, menstrual) Brittle nails (lose convex shapebecome concave and fingers club-like) Pallor, especially: ears, nail beds, palmar creases, conjunctivae, circumoral (around the mouth) Tachycardia (without activity: hr increases with activity and during/after meals, murmurs and gallops when anemia severe, orthostatic hypotension. Respiratory: dyspnea on exertion, decreased oxygen saturation. Increased somnolence and fatigue: headache, difficulty concentrating, memory. Sickle cell disease: genetic disorder resulting in chronic anemia, pain, disability, organ damage, increased risk for infection, and early death. Sickle cell disease state and sickle cell trait. Extensive cell sickling: may occur weekly or once per year. Repeated blockages can result in organ damage or failure.
