Patient/caregiver was educated on findings to watch for and report in individuals with history of iron deficiency anemia as follows:
- Shortness of breath: Low iron content and reduced oxygen pick-up in anemic individuals lead to deficient oxygen supply to all vital organs, resulting in dyspnea and compromised endurance. Report to your physician regarding any worsening of or exacerbation of SOB and oxygen saturations consistently below 90. Oxygen dependent individuals must report any need for increase in oxygen requirements.
- Rapid heartbeat: Low iron content in anemic patients can result in reduced oxygen transport and deficient oxygen supply to vital organs, thus compromising their function. In anemia, the heart can try to compensate, by overworking and beating faster. By doing this, the heart tries to pump more blood and thereby, supply needed oxygen and nutrients to the vital organs that are compromised. Report to your physician regarding any consistently elevated heart rate above 90.
- Pale skin and cold extremities: Rich supply of blood and oxygen to the skin and mucus membranes is needed for pink, healthy coloration to the tissues and maintenance of warmth to touch. Low red cell count with deficient oxygen supply in anemic individuals result in pale coloration to skin and mucus membranes and cold extremities to touch. Anemic patients must keep a close watch on the color of their skin and warmth of extremities. Report to your physician regarding any unresolving or worsening pallor of skin and extremities cold to touch.
