Patient was educated on signs and symptoms of anemia as follows:
- Red cells in the blood carry oxygen and nutrients to all the tissues in the body.
- Anemic patients have low red blood cell count, contributing to deficient oxygen and nutrient transport to the tissues.
- The major symptoms of anemia arise from deficient transport oxygen and nutrients to the tissues by the red cells.
- Since the oxygen and nutrient supply is deficient to the organs, it compromises the function of various tissues in the body.
- Consequently, patients can present with the following signs and symptoms.
- Arrhythmia: Compromised oxygen supply to the heart muscle can result in palpitations and worsening arrhythmias, with fluttering in the chest, racing or abnormally slow heartbeat, poorly felt pulse, dizziness, any episodes of loss of consciousness, chest pain and/or discomfort, and episodes of fainting.
- Fatigue and listlessness: Compromised oxygen supply to the muscle tissue can result in cramping, weakness, fatigue, and exhaustion.
- Pale skin and mucous membranes: Rich supply of blood and oxygen to the skin and mucus membranes is needed for pink, healthy coloration to the tissues. Low red cell count with deficient oxygen supply in anemic individuals result in pale coloration to skin and mucus membranes.
