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Questions and Answers
What is the RBC count threshold for diagnosing primary polycythemia?
What is the RBC count threshold for diagnosing primary polycythemia?
Which of the following conditions can lead to secondary polycythemia due to physiological factors?
Which of the following conditions can lead to secondary polycythemia due to physiological factors?
Which characteristic is associated with polycythemia vera?
Which characteristic is associated with polycythemia vera?
What physiological condition may trigger the secretion of erythropoietin in respiratory failure?
What physiological condition may trigger the secretion of erythropoietin in respiratory failure?
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Which of the following is NOT considered a cause of secondary polycythemia?
Which of the following is NOT considered a cause of secondary polycythemia?
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Study Notes
Polycythemia
- Polycythemia is a condition characterized by an increased red blood cell (RBC) count, exceeding 7 million/cu mm of blood.
- Two types exist: primary and secondary polycythemia.
Primary Polycythemia (Polycythemia Vera)
- A type of blood cancer (malignant disease of red bone marrow).
- Characterized by a persistently high RBC count above 14 million/cu mm of blood.
- Always accompanied by an elevated white blood cell (WBC) count exceeding 24,000/cu mm of blood.
Secondary Polycythemia
- A pathological or physiological condition.
- Pathological causes:
- Respiratory disorders (e.g., emphysema, tuberculosis, pneumonia).
- Congenital heart disease.
- Heart disease (impaired blood pumping).
- Physiological causes:
- Exercise.
- Increased metabolism (e.g., due to androgens).
- Living in high altitudes.
Respiratory Disorders (a cause of secondary polycythemia)
- In respiratory failure, the lungs struggle to absorb adequate oxygen, causing hypoxia.
- Hypoxia triggers higher erythropoietin production.
- Emphysema, a lung condition related to nicotine use and impaired airway cilia, is a type of respiratory disorder.
Heart Disease (a cause of secondary polycythemia)
- Heart conditions impair proper blood pumping.
- This leads to hypoxia in body cells.
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Description
This quiz covers the condition of polycythemia, including its two major types: primary (polycythemia vera) and secondary polycythemia. Learn about the causes, symptoms, and the relationship of polycythemia with respiratory disorders. Test your knowledge on this blood condition and its implications.
