Reference no: EM133491478
A 42 year old African American woman presents to the clinic to ascertain why she has been recently so fatigued and exhausted. These symptoms are acute for their is no history of chronic disease or any previous medical complications. She is also not eating well due to nausea. However, she has not been vomiting or regurgitating. There are no changes to note in her stool. She has extensively traveled the globe over the past year for business.
Our patient has a healthy BMI of 22 (no significant weight loss or gain at this time). Our patient's temperature is 98.8*C. There are no issues with her heart or respiratory rate. No concerns or issues are noted upon auscultation. There is also no pain upon palpation and your patient indicates her pain number is 3. Upon looking at her sclera though you are concerned she MAY appear to have mild jaundice. However with these fluorescent lights you are unsure. (Yes this statement is not unusual)
You begin by running just a complete blood count (CBC). Additional blood work will come later. You note that the patient has both a low hemoglobin and a low erythrocyte count (RBC). She is also iron (Fe) deficient. You inform your client she is anemic. However based on just this initial visit and only having her RBC and WBC levels you can not ascertain the etiology. Your patient is confused and would like you to explain these results and what that means for her health. What should she do next?
Anemia is not an etiology - it is part of the pathogenesis. Often regardless of the inciting cause anemic pathogenic events follow a similar path. There are three general etiological categories that can result in anemia. For this discussion you want to:
1. Educate the patient on what anemia means in general. Tie this in with her current blood work. How would you define her anemia?
2. Then you need to clarify the three anemic categories. One disease example (not just random choice) for each category that fits our patient's clinical signs, symptoms, signalment and history will suffice. (Be careful)
3. And then finally even though your client will need further testing can you provide her some clues as to possible additional clinical manifestations and effects on her future health if left unchecked. Any suggestions for anemia management while awaiting the next appointment?