NU 606 Week 6 Discussion 1 Question-Based Discussion TEAM A Compare the general effects of the general states of anemia and polycythemia in terms of hemoglobin level, hematocrit, general appearance, and possible complications. There can be different causes for these conditions. Compare their general presentation, regardless of cause.

Answer for NU 606 Week 6 Discussion 1 Question-Based Discussion TEAM A

Describe the three stages of hemostasis.

Hemostasis is the process of stopping bleeding. This occurs in three steps. First, in response to injury, the blood vessel vasoconstricts or spasms. This decreases blood flow to the area. Secondly, the thrombocytes adhere to underlying tissue at the site of the injury. Platelet plugs form during this step if the blood vessel is small. Finally, the blood clotting/ coagulation mechanism is activated. A cascade reaction by the different clotting factors occurs here to form a blood clot (Hubert & Van Meter, 2018).

1. Explain the difference between the terms microcytic and megaloblastic. Identify one condition where each may occur.

Microcytosis is when the red blood cell (RBC) size is smaller than the normal range. (Gotter, 2019). A condition where this may occur is in iron-deficiency anemia. Megaloblastic anemia is a form of anemia where the red blood cells are larger than normal and there is a decrease in the number of those cells. This is usually due to acquired deficiency in vitamin B12 or folic acid. Pernicious anemia is a type of megaloblastic anemia (Boston Children’s Hospital, 2017).

1. Compare the general effects of the general states of anemia and polycythemia in terms of hemoglobin level, hematocrit, general appearance, and possible complications. There can be different causes for these conditions. Compare their general presentation, regardless of cause.

In anemia, the hemoglobin and hematocrit levels are low. This can be due to a deficiency of a required nutrient such as iron, bone marrow function is impaired when there is excessive blood loss or a significant destruction of erythrocytes. The general appearance in patients with anemia are fatigue, pallor, dyspnea, and tachycardia, and chest pain (if severe). Possible complications for anemia are oxygen deficit, congestive heart failure if there is a significant reduction in oxygen supply to the heart, and decreased regeneration of epithelial cells may cause inflammation and ulcers in the digestive tract.

Polycythemia is when there is an increased number of erythrocytes. This causes the hemoglobin and hematocrit levels to be high. Patients with polycythemia appear plethoric and cyanotic. These patients are overfilled with blood. There is a bluish-red tone of the skin and mucosa. Patients may also experience pruritus, dyspnea, headaches, and visual disturbances. Possible complications from polycythemia are increased blood pressure, hepatomegaly, thrombosis and infarctions throughout the body, congestive heart failure, and joint pain if the uric acid levels are high (Hubert & Van Meter, 2018).