Nursing Blog

Anemia - 10 Nursing Diagnosis According to WHO Anaemia is a condition in which the number of red blood cells or their oxygen-carrying capacity is insufficient to meet physiologic needs, which vary by age, sex, altitude, smoking, and pregnancy status. Anemia or anaemia is usually defined as a decrease in the amount of red blood cells (RBCs) or the amount of hemoglobin in the blood. It can also be defined as a lowered ability of the blood to carry oxygen. There are more than 400 types of anemia, which are divided into three groups: Anemia caused by blood loss. Anemia caused by decreased or faulty red blood cell production. Anemia caused by destruction of red blood cells. Initially, iron deficiency anemia can be so mild that it goes unnoticed. But as the body becomes more deficient in iron and anemia worsens, the signs and symptoms intensify. Iron deficiency anemia symptoms may include: Extreme fatigue Pale skin Weakness Shortness of breath Chest pain Frequent infections Headache Dizzines...

Pathophysiology of Anemia Anemia may reflect the presence of marrow failure or loss of red blood cells or both. Marrow failure (reduced erotropoesis) can occur due to nutritional deficiencies, toxic exposure, tumor invasion, but mostly due to unknown causes. Red blood cells can be lost through hemorrhage or hemolysis (destruction) that can be caused by a defect of red blood cells that do not correspond with the resistance of normal red blood cells. Red blood cell lysis (dissolution) occurs mainly in phagocytic cells (reticuloendothelial) in the liver and spleen. This process produces bilirubin which will enter the bloodstream. The increase in red blood cell destruction (hemolysis) is reflected by an increase in plasma bilirubin. If the destruction of red blood cells in circulation as the hemoglobin in hemolytic disorders will emerge through the plasma (hemoglobinemia). If the plasma concentration exceeds the capacity of plasma haptoglobin (hemoglobin binding protein-free) to tie it al...

The most common causes of anemia is deficiency of nutrients required for the synthesis of red blood cells, such as iron, vitamin B12 and folic acid. The rest is the result of a variety of conditions such as hemorrhage, genetic abnormalities, chronic disease, drug toxicity, and so on. Anemia is a potentially complicated situation that may become potentially life threatening if left untreated. This medical condition results in many symptoms among those that suffer from it. It is important to understand that the actual symptoms that are experienced will be based on the general level of health that the sufferer has as well as the ultimate cause of the condition. Anemia can be mild, moderate, or severe, and this condition can be caused by many different factors. In this condition your body does not have an adequate number of red blood cells present, and if the condition is severe it can lead to serious complications or even be fatal in some cases. Another cause is having the right number of...