Chronic Anemia and the Role of the Infusion Therapy Nurse.
Chronic anemia develops over a course of weeks to months and is usually mild to moderate in nature. It is important to understand the etiology of the reduced number of circulating red blood cells to treat the anemia appropriately. Diagnosis is dependent on patient history and laboratory findings, such as complete blood counts, iron studies, a peripheral smear, and occasionally, a bone marrow biopsy. Treatment modalities frequently administered by infusion therapy nurses include treatment of the underlying chronic disease, replacement of deficiencies (iron, vitamin B12, folate, or erythropoietin), or transfusion of red blood cells. Infusion therapy nurses play a vital role in the assessment and delivery of medication therapy to patients with chronic anemia.
Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, Arizona. Jeffrey Betcher, RPh, BCOP, is a clinical pharmacy specialist at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix. Velvet Van Ryan, BSN, RN, OCN®, is a unit-based educator at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix. Joseph Mikhael, MD, is an associate professor of medicine at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and a consultant at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix.
Jeffrey
J
Betcher
Velvet
V
Van Ryan
Joseph
J
Mikhael
D000740:Anemia / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous / Q000379:methods; D007501:Iron / Q000008:administration & dosage; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment
D007501:Iron