1. In review of the patient’s lab work it shows that the patient is anemic. Porth defines anemia as an abnormally low number of circulating red blood cells and/or level of hemoglobin (Porth, 2011). Hemoglobin, or HGB, is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to organs and tissues throughout the body. Hematocrit, or HCT, is the volume of cells in 100 mL of blood (Porth, 2011). HGB and HCT levels can indicate the severity of the anemia. Mean corpuscular volume, or MCV, tells us the average size of the red blood cells. In this patient’s case, her MCV value indicates microcytic anemia as the level is lower than normal. Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, or MCH, is the concentration of hemoglobin in the red blood cell. Iron deficiency anemia is often indicated by low hemoglobin, low hematocrit, and reduced MCV (Porth, 2011).
2. Signs and symptoms of anemia often depend on the severity but may include pallor (due to decreased number of red blood cells), fatigue, dyspnea, tachycardia, epithelial atrophy and possibly pica (Porth, 2011). All of these symptoms are related to a decrease in the amount of oxygen delivered to the body’s tissues and organs (compensatory mechanisms) (Porth, 2011).
3. The two most common causes of anemia in a female of this age are iron …show more content…
In assessing the patient I would want a full set of vitals. I would look at weight and height to indicate growth over the last year and/or appropriate BMI which could suggest anorexia or obesity, either of which can indicate dietary deficiencies. Date of last menstrual cycle, duration and how heavy her cycles have been. I would also inquire about the possibility of be pregnant. My assessment would also include capillary refill, mucosa color, skin check for nail deformities or brittle hair/nails, pallor, sores in the corner of the mouth, smooth tongue and I would inquire about symptoms of pica. I would listen to the lungs and to the heart. Specifically watching for dyspnea or
2. Signs and symptoms of anemia often depend on the severity but may include pallor (due to decreased number of red blood cells), fatigue, dyspnea, tachycardia, epithelial atrophy and possibly pica (Porth, 2011). All of these symptoms are related to a decrease in the amount of oxygen delivered to the body’s tissues and organs (compensatory mechanisms) (Porth, 2011).
3. The two most common causes of anemia in a female of this age are iron …show more content…
In assessing the patient I would want a full set of vitals. I would look at weight and height to indicate growth over the last year and/or appropriate BMI which could suggest anorexia or obesity, either of which can indicate dietary deficiencies. Date of last menstrual cycle, duration and how heavy her cycles have been. I would also inquire about the possibility of be pregnant. My assessment would also include capillary refill, mucosa color, skin check for nail deformities or brittle hair/nails, pallor, sores in the corner of the mouth, smooth tongue and I would inquire about symptoms of pica. I would listen to the lungs and to the heart. Specifically watching for dyspnea or