Reference no: EM133725395

Assignment:

The new mother is admitted to the intensive care unit and started on low-molecular-weight heparin and warfarin. She is told that she will be discharged in a day or two and will remain on the heparin for 5 days and the warfarin for at least 3 months.

1. What are the actions of heparin and warfarin?
2. Why is heparin administered for 5 days during the initiation of warfarin treatment?
3. Anticoagulation with heparin and warfarin is not a definitive treatment for clot removal in pulmonary embolism, but a form of secondary prevention. Explain.

A 29-year-old woman complains of generalized fatigue. Her physical exam reveals a heart rate of 115bpm, blood pressure of 115/75 mmHg, and respiratory rate of 28 breaths/minute. Her skin and nail beds are pale. Her laboratory results include a RBC count of 3.0 x 106/µL, hematocrit 27%, and a decrease in serum ferritin levels.

1. What disorder do you suspect this woman has?
2. What additional data would be helpful in determining the etiology of her condition?
3. Which of her signs reflects the body's attempt to compensate for this disorder?
4. What is the significance of the low ferritin level and how can it be used to make decisions related to her treatment?

A 65-year-old woman is seen in the clinic because of numbness in her lower legs and feet and difficulty walking. She has no other complaints. She takes a blood pressure pill, two calcium pills, and a multivitamin daily. Her laboratory results include RBC count of 3.0 x 106/µL, hemoglobin 9g/dL, hematocrit of 20%, and a markedly elevated MCV.

1. What type of anemia does she have?
2. What is the reason for her neurologic symptoms?
3. What type of treatment would be appropriate?