17. The Blood

Mr. Jackson presents to the emergency room with a minor wound that has bled for several days. An examination of his medical history reveals that Mr. Jackson has hemophilia A, which is caused by a deficiency of factor VIII. Your co-worker suggests that you give Mr. Jackson some platelets to stop the bleeding. Will this help your patient? Why or why not?

Define anemia, and give three possible causes.

Alan Forsythe, a middle-aged college professor from Boston, is in the Swiss Alps studying astronomy during his sabbatical leave. He has been there for two days and plans to stay the entire year. However, he notices that he is short of breath when he walks up steps and tires easily with any physical activity. His symptoms gradually disappear, and he feels fine after less than a month. Upon returning to the United States, he has a complete physical exam and is told that his erythrocyte count is higher than normal.

a. Attempt to explain this finding.

b. Will his RBC count remain at this higher-than-normal level? Why or why not?

Anemia is a blood disorder where the $O_2$-carrying capacity of blood is too low to support the body's tissues. Which of the following is not a possible cause of anemia?

More than one choice may apply.

Polycythemia vera will result in

a. Overproduction of WBCs

b. Exceptionally high blood volume

c. Abnormally high blood viscosity

d. Abnormally low hematocrit

More than one choice may apply.

If an Rh ⁻ mother becomes pregnant, when can hemolytic disease of the newborn not possibly occur in the child?

a. If the child is Rh ⁻

b. If the child is Rh⁺

c. If the father is Rh⁺

d. If the father is Rh ⁻

Dehydration would:

(a) Cause an increase in the hematocrit

(b) Cause a decrease in the hematocrit

(c) Have no effect on the hematocrit

(d) Cause an increase in plasma volume

How can poor nutrition lead to anemia?