Anemia

1. Prioritize a differential diagnosis of anemia as it would be affected by varying age, sex, red cells indices, appearance of RBC's on peripheral smear and reticulocyte count.

2. List the minimal historical, physical and laboratory evaluation indicated before a patient is prescribed iron, folate or B-12 therapy.

3. Describe the outpatient monitoring, clinical response and follow-up of patients approximately treated with iron, folate or B-12 for anemia.

4. Describe the observed effect of the following conditions upon the hematocrit.

A. Pregnancy
B. Volume contraction
C. Severe COPD
D. Chronic renal failure
E. Chronic disease
F. G6PD deficiency
G. Pica
H. Advancing age

Sources:

Family Medicine:  Ambulatory Care and Prevention, Chapter 4, Pages 18-24

Reading Resources:

"Ambulatory Management of Common Forms of Anemia"  David R. Little, M.D., M.S., Wright State University School of Medicine, Dayton, OH, American Family Physician, March 15, 1999.

"Anemia in Children" Joseph J. Irwin, M.D., and Jeffrey T. Kirchner, D.O., Lancaster General Hospital, Lancaster, PA, American Family Physician, October 15, 2001.

"Anemia in the Elderly" Douglas L. Smith, M.D., University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, WI, American Family Physician, October 1, 2000.

"Iron Deficiency Anemia" Sherstin Killip, M.D., M.P.H. et al, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, American Family Physician, March 1, 2007.