PATHO CHAPER 23

CHAPTER 23 RED BLOOD CELLS

RBC main jobs?

Carry O₂ + help carry CO₂ + buffer pH

What are HbA and HbF?

→ HbA = adult hemoglobin.
→ HbF = fetal hemoglobin

Hemoglobin contains what?

Iron-containing heme + globin

Erythropoiesis = ?

RBC production in red marrow

Low tissue O₂ causes what?

↑ EPO → ↑ RBC production

What transports iron in the blood?

Transferrin

Ferritin does what?

Stores iron

High bilirubin suggests what?

↑ RBC breakdown/hemolysis

Why can hemolytic anemia cause jaundice?

RBC breakdown → ↑ bilirubin

Why do RBCs need glucose?

ATP → membrane + ion pump function

Anemia = ?

↓ RBCs/hemoglobin → ↓ O₂ delivery

What is the major harmful effect of all anemias?

Systemic tissue hypoxia

Common anemia signs?

Fatigue + pallor + weakness + dyspnea + tachycardia

What is blood-loss anemia?

Anemia caused by internal or external bleeding.

What is the danger of acute blood loss?

Hypovolemic shock

Hemolytic anemia = ?

Anemia from premature RBC destruction

What are inherited hemolytic anemias?

Sickle cell + thalassemia + spherocytosis

What is iron-deficiency anemia usually related to?

Low intake/absorption or chronic blood loss

Iron-deficiency RBCs appear like?

Microcytic + hypochromic

Megaloblastic anemia = ?

Impaired DNA synthesis → large RBCs

What deficiencies can cause megaloblastic anemia?

↓ B12 or ↓ folate

Pernicious anemia caused by = ?

No intrinsic factor → cannot absorb B12

Aplastic anemia = ?

Marrow failure → ↓ RBCs + WBCs + platelets

Chronic disease anemia occurs why?

Inflammation disrupts EPO response/production

Polycythemia = ?

Too many RBCs → thick blood

Polycythemia danger?

Thrombosis

Polycythemia vera = ?

Bone-marrow cancer → ↑ RBCs, WBCs, platelets

Secondary polycythemia = ?

Chronic hypoxia → ↑ EPO → ↑ RBCs

ABO/Rh typing prevents what?

Hemolytic transfusion reaction

A patient with chronic hypoxia has increased EPO and high hematocrit. What condition is likely?

Secondary polycythemia

Most common transfusion-reaction cause?

Identification/administration error

First action for suspected transfusion reaction?

Stop the transfusion; keep IV access open with normal saline per policy and notify the provider/blood bank.

Acute hemolytic transfusion reaction = ?

Recipient antibodies destroy donor RBCs

Acute hemolytic reaction kidney risk?

Free hemoglobin damages kidneys

When can a delayed hemolytic transfusion reaction occur?

1–2 weeks after transfusion

What causes an allergic transfusion reaction?

→ Reaction to donor proteins

TRALI = ?

→ Immune transfusion reaction → acute lung injury

TACO = ?

→ Fluid/circulatory overload caused by transfusion.

TRALI vs. TACO?

→ TACO = volume overload.
→ TRALI = immune-related lung injury, not fluid overload.

Severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia can cause?

→ Kernicterus → brain damage

Hemolytic disease of newborn = ?

→ Maternal antibodies destroy fetal RBCs