Question

3. Alterations in Oxygen Transport Alterations in Oxygen Transport a. How are history and clinical manifestations used to differentiate the various forms of anemia and polycythemia?

Answer 1

3) a) The history of patients provides information on the specific cause of anemia such as inherited, nutritional, associated with chronic diseases, blood transfusion or blood loss.

Clinical manifestations may give clues to the specific type of anemia such as megaloblastic anemia associated with vitamin B12 deficiency, pica related to iron deficiency anemia, painful episodes and organ dysfunctions associated with Sickle cell anemia.

The differential diagnosis of the type of Polycythemia is based on the history and accompanying clinical manifestations. For examples :- Polycythemia Vera is characterized by the absence of hypoxemia and dehydration with accompanying leukocytosis and thrombocytosis. Secondary Polycythemia is characterized by a history of lung diseases or living at high altitude, hypoxemia and elevated erythropoietin level. Relative Polycythemia is characterized by a history of loss of fluid or poor intake and dehydration.