Scribd
Upload
89 views16 pages

Polycythemi A: Presented By: Palaran, Nina Mae C

This document discusses polycythemia, which is an increased volume of red blood cells. It can be either primary or secondary. Primary polycythemia, also known as polycythemia vera, is a disorder of the bone marrow stem cells that results in elevated red blood cell, white blood cell, and platelet counts. Secondary polycythemia is caused by an excessive production of erythropoietin in response to factors like smoking or living at a high altitude. Symptoms include headaches and increased risk for blood clots. Diagnosis involves blood tests and bone marrow tests. Treatment involves phlebotomy to reduce blood volume, medications to suppress the bone marrow, and managing complications like risks for blood clots

Uploaded by

Jichutreasure
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
89 views16 pages

Polycythemi A: Presented By: Palaran, Nina Mae C

This document discusses polycythemia, which is an increased volume of red blood cells. It can be either primary or secondary. Primary polycythemia, also known as polycythemia vera, is a disorder of the bone marrow stem cells that results in elevated red blood cell, white blood cell, and platelet counts. Secondary polycythemia is caused by an excessive production of erythropoietin in response to factors like smoking or living at a high altitude. Symptoms include headaches and increased risk for blood clots. Diagnosis involves blood tests and bone marrow tests. Treatment involves phlebotomy to reduce blood volume, medications to suppress the bone marrow, and managing complications like risks for blood clots

Uploaded by

Jichutreasure
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 16

POLYCYTHEMI

PRESENTED BY:

PALARAN, NINA MAE C.


What is Polycythemia?
• Polycythemia is an increased volume of red
blood cells (erythrocytes).
• The hematocrit is elevated by more than 55% in
men or more than 50% in women.
• It is classified as either primary or secondary.

Normal blood Polycythemia


smear
POLYCYTHEMIA VERA (PRIMARY)

• Polycythemia vera, or primary polycythemia,


is a proliferative disorder of the myeloid stem
cells.
• The bone marrow is hypercellular, and the
erythrocyte, leukocyte, and platelet counts in
the peripheral blood are elevated.
SECONDARY POLYCYTHEMIA

• It is caused by an excessive production of


erythropoietin.
• This may occur in response to a reduced amount of
oxygen, which acts as a hypoxic stimulus, as in
cigarette smoking, COPD, or cyanotic heart disease, or
in non pathologic conditions such as living at a high
altitude.
• Can also occur as a result from certain
hemoglobinopathies or neoplasm, such as renal cell
carcinoma.
CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS
• Patients typically have a ruddy complexion and
splenomegaly.
• Symptoms results from increased blood volume (e.g
Headache, dizziness, tinnitus, fatigue, paresthesias, and
blurred vision)
• Increased blood viscocity (e.g Angina, claudication,
dyspnea, and thrombophlebitis, embolism)
• Blood pressure and uric acid are often elevated
• Generalized pruritus
• Erythromelalgia (a burning sensation in the fingers and
toes)
Complications

• Risk for Thrombosis


- Cerebrovascular accident(CVA) - Brain Attack
& Stroke
- Myocardial Infarction
• Bleeding
Diagnostic Procedure
• Blood test (Complete Blood
Count)
• Bone marrow aspiration or biopsy
• Specific gene testing
Medical Management

1. Periodic
Phlebotomy
- to reduce blood viscosity
and deplete iron stores
- Done to remove extra red
blood cells from the blood
(500ml once or twice
weekly)
Pharmacologic Management
1. Chemotherapeutic agents (e.g.hydroxyurea)
- are used to suppress marrow function (may increase risk
for leukemia).

2. Anagrelide (Agrylin)
- used to inhibit platelet aggregation and control the
thrombocytosis related to polycythemia.

3. Interferon alpha-2b (Intron-A)


- most effective treatment for managing the pruritus
associated with polycythemia vera.
Pharmacologic Management
4. Antihistamines
- administered to control pruritus

5. Allopurinol
- used to prevent gouty attacks when the uric acid level is
elevated.
NURSING MANAGEMENT
• Assess risk factors for thrombotic complications and
teach patient to recognize signs and symptoms of
thrombosis.
• Discourage sedentary behavior, crossing the legs,
and wearing tight or restrictive clothing (particularly
stockings) to reduce the likelihood of DVT.
• Advise patient to avoid aspirin and medications
containing aspirin (if patient has a history of
bleeding).
NURSING MANAGEMENT
• Suggest a cool or tepid bath for pruritus, along
with cocoa butter–based lotions and bath
products to relieve itching or a sodium
bicarbonate dissolved in water.
• Advise patient to minimize alcohol intake and
avoid iron and vitamins containing iron.
• Advise patient to aat well-balanced meals
complete with fresh fruits and vegetables,
whole grains, lean protein, and low-fat dairy.
Reference

● Smeltzer, S. C., Bare, B. G., Hinkle, J. L., & Cheever, K. H. (2010).


Brunner and Suddarth’s textbook of medical-surgical nursing
(12th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

● https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-
terms/def/phlebotomy#:~:text=(fleh%2DBAH%2Dtoh
%2D,called%20blood%20draw%20and%20venipuncture.

● https://www.slideshare.net/rumanahameed1/polycythemia-vera-
rumana

● https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/polycythemia-
vera/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355855
THANK YOU

You might also like