Question

why should the nurse complete a nutritional, cardiac, GI, and neurological assessment on a client with anemias?

Answer 1

Anaemia is a state of inadequate presence of matured red blood cells in the body.Red blood cells are the transpoprt medium for oxygen and Iron co ordinate this process  in the body. Hemoglobin(a protein which give red colur) ,RBC s ,Iron and Oxygen are inter connected in this scenario.  Anemia can be classified as

IRON DEFIENCY ANEMIA

VITAMIN DEFICIENCY ANEMIA

SICKLE CEL ANEMIA

APLASTIC ANEMIA

THALASSEMIA

There are many underlying causes for anemia.It is very necessary to done a systamatic assessment in patient with anemia to determine the causes.The main reasons for inadequte RBC count are

1. Bleeding

2. Insufficient RBC production

3. Destruction of RBC more than the required limit

NUTRITIONAL ASSESMENT; Our body needs Iron,folic acid and other vitamins to prodce RBC . So intake of a balanced diet play a vital role in RBC production.Take a detailed hystory of patient's diet .Always keep in mind that to ask about the client's chioce of food.Find the food which is aviod by the client also.Body weight also should be noted to interpret any malabsorption while the patient is eating a complete balanced diet.

CARDIAC ASSESSMENT: Very important. Because in anemic cases the heart compelled to pump more blood than normal to compensate lack of oxygen in body tissues. During assessment can listen murmer and can identify cardiac arrythmias  also.Due to the workload heart wil be enlarged (cardimegaly), if not identified cardiac failure and heart attack may occur.In other hand patient with chronic or other heart diseaes are prone for anemia also.

GI ASSESSMENT; Disorders in Gastro intestinal tract predisposes anemia. Persistent vomiting, Irritable bowel syndrome or problems in the colon lead to malabsorption followed by Iron defiency anemia. In addition to this colonic neoplasm,leisions in the GI tract,ulcer, hemorrhoids,and bleeding in the GI tract and   also will lead to anemia.Do not forget to ask a hystory of black stool and presence of blood in the stool. (indicate bleeding).Some of the chronic diseases destruct the RBC's and will result in anemia.

NEUROLOGICAL ASSESSMENT: If the client is anemic there is a possibility of alteration in neurological function. Lack of oxygen   and iron causing a harmful effect in the brain.  Examine the client for neurocognitive disordes.