Hca 240 Blood Disorders
Blood Disorders
University of Phoenix
Health & Diseases: Understanding Pathos of Pathology (AXIA)
Kimberly Jacobs
HCA 240
October 23, 2011
Blood Disorders
The blood serves as the body’s major transport system. It is the medium for transporting oxygen from the lungs to the cells and carbon dioxide waste from the cells to the lungs. Components of the blood protect the body from disease by recognizing and engulfing microorganisms and foreign molecules in the blood. Other components of the blood transport metabolic waste from the cells to the kidneys, nutrients from the digestive system to the cells, and hormones throughout the body.
Scenario One
Amy is a four-year-old Caucasian female with symptoms that are indicative of Iron Deficiency Anemia. This is one of the most well known causes of anemia. Increased iron requirements, impaired iron absorption or hemorrhage can cause iron deficiency anemia. Without enough iron the body fails to synthesize hemoglobin and the ability to transport oxygen is reduces. Iron requirements are at the highest level during the first two years of life. Hemoglobin carries oxygen throughout our body and is a part of our red blood cell. If we do not receive an adequate amount of iron, our body produces smaller amounts of red blood cells, which means less hemoglobin, and therefore we do not get enough oxygen (WebMD, Iron Deficiency Anemia). If we do not receive the correct amount of oxygen to our organs, and cells, the body will begin to suffer and we will begin to experience symptoms such as feeling weak, growing tired much easier, skin looks pale, trouble concentrating, and shortness of breath. There are several causes or reasons an individual can develop anemia or low iron levels in the body such as pregnant women, small children and teens that require more iron and are not getting enough in the food they are eating. If a woman’s menstrual cycle is extremely heavy and a she loses too much blood this cause a drop in iron.
University of Phoenix
Health & Diseases: Understanding Pathos of Pathology (AXIA)
Kimberly Jacobs
HCA 240
October 23, 2011
Blood Disorders
The blood serves as the body’s major transport system. It is the medium for transporting oxygen from the lungs to the cells and carbon dioxide waste from the cells to the lungs. Components of the blood protect the body from disease by recognizing and engulfing microorganisms and foreign molecules in the blood. Other components of the blood transport metabolic waste from the cells to the kidneys, nutrients from the digestive system to the cells, and hormones throughout the body.
Scenario One
Amy is a four-year-old Caucasian female with symptoms that are indicative of Iron Deficiency Anemia. This is one of the most well known causes of anemia. Increased iron requirements, impaired iron absorption or hemorrhage can cause iron deficiency anemia. Without enough iron the body fails to synthesize hemoglobin and the ability to transport oxygen is reduces. Iron requirements are at the highest level during the first two years of life. Hemoglobin carries oxygen throughout our body and is a part of our red blood cell. If we do not receive an adequate amount of iron, our body produces smaller amounts of red blood cells, which means less hemoglobin, and therefore we do not get enough oxygen (WebMD, Iron Deficiency Anemia). If we do not receive the correct amount of oxygen to our organs, and cells, the body will begin to suffer and we will begin to experience symptoms such as feeling weak, growing tired much easier, skin looks pale, trouble concentrating, and shortness of breath. There are several causes or reasons an individual can develop anemia or low iron levels in the body such as pregnant women, small children and teens that require more iron and are not getting enough in the food they are eating. If a woman’s menstrual cycle is extremely heavy and a she loses too much blood this cause a drop in iron.
References: Mayo Clinic. (1998-2011). Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) http://www.mayoclinic.com WebMD. Iron Deficiency Anemia, Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/iron-deficiency-anemia-topic-overview Sickle Cell Disease http://kidshealth.org Mulvihill, M. L., Zelman, M., Holdaway, P., Tompary, E., & Raymond, J. (2006) Instructor’s resource manual: Human diseases: A systematic approach (6th ed.) Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall