Description
Anemia is an ailment that can be characterized as a lack of healthy erythrocytes contained in blood that can transfer oxygen to skin, muscles, nerves, and other body parts. For the most part, people suffering from anemia feel exhausted and frail. There are several types of anemia which transpire only by reason of certain circumstances. Therefore, this ailment can range from short- to long-term and be either mild or severe (acute).
Also, anemia (especially acute) can be a sign of a grave illness. There are numerous medical procedures that can be connected to the treatment of anemia (for example, taking supplements). Eating healthy and following a certain dietary pattern can help in preventing some types of anemia (Wick, Pinggera, & Lehmann, 2013). Acute anemia is commonly accompanied by a hyperdynamic circulation. These signs also include tachycardia, a bouncing pulse, and cardiac ventricular hypertrophy. Anemia can also lead to a heart failure. In general, acute anemia is a sign of the lack of iron, but it can also transpire in those who have adequate hemoglobin levels as well.
Screening
The process of acute anemia screening is majorly dependent on the underlying cause of one’s anemia. Such things as dizziness, pale skin, fatigue, and chest pains can help the nurse to perform a successful screening procedure (McEvoy & Shander, 2013). The problem with this ailment consists in the fact that throughout its initial stages it is recurrently overlooked. In this case, the screening process is beneficial because it can help prevent a number of issues connected to acute anemia.
The people who suffer from severe anemia cannot perform their daily tasks normally because of fatigue. Pregnant women with acute anemia are exposed to the risk of premature birth and other critical complications. The lack of oxygen in the blood can be witnessed to be compensated by arrhythmia, and during the screening procedure, the nurse can observe an enlarged heart (Malowany & Butany, 2012). Acute anemia can lead even to death, so it is important to perform an in-depth screening in order to spot an inherited anemia right away.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis is mostly based on the medical and family history. In order to diagnose acute anemia, the doctor will have to run several important tests and perform a physical examination. One of these tests is CBC (complete blood count) as it is utilized to calculate the total number of blood cells in one’s blood (Hayden, Albert, Watkins, & Swenson, 2012). In the case of acute anemia, the doctor will be focusing on identifying the levels of red blood cells and hemoglobin. The normal values of red blood cells vary from 42 to 50 and 37 to 45 percent in men and women respectively. The normal values of hemoglobin are usually varying from 12 to 16 grams per deciliter. The blood can also be tested for the size and form of one’s red blood cells in order to identify any deviation from the norm.
Management
When managing acute anemia, the most important things to take care of are the blood circulation, airway, and breathing. It is also pivotal to observe the patient and identify any life-threatening warning signs immediately (Gombotz, 2012). One of the ways to manage acute anemia is the employment of crystalloid. This process can be completed only when the patient is hemodynamically stable, or a higher level of treatment is compulsory. Also, when managing the patient with acute anemia, it is important to take into consideration the risks that are inherent in this illness because unstable patients cannot be treated in the same way as their steady counterparts (Flynn, Choi, & Wooster, 2013). The doctor has to consult the patient on the core aspects of acute anemia and take into account the etiology of acute anemia.
References
Flynn, J., Choi, M., & Wooster, D. (2013). Oxford American handbook of clinical medicine. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Gombotz, H. (2012). Patient blood management: A patient-orientated approach to blood replacement with the goal of reducing anemia, blood loss and the need for blood transfusion in elective surgery. Transfusion Medicine and Hemotherapy, 39(2), 67-72. Web.
Hayden, S. J., Albert, T. J., Watkins, T. R., & Swenson, E. R. (2012). Anemia in critical illness. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 185(10), 1049-1057. Web.
Malowany, J. I., & Butany, J. (2012). Pathology of sickle cell disease. Seminars in Diagnostic Pathology,29(1), 49-55. Web.
McEvoy, M. T., & Shander, A. (2013). Anemia, bleeding, and blood transfusion in the intensive care unit: Causes, risks, costs, and new strategies. American Journal of Critical Care,22(6), 1-13. Web.
Wick, M., Pinggera, G., & Lehmann, P. (2013). Iron metabolism, anemias. Diagnosis and therapy: Novel concepts in the anemias of renal and rheumatoid disease. New York, NY: Springer.