Anemia Nursing Care Plans

What is Anemia?

Anemia is one of the most common blood disorders worldwide. It occurs when hemoglobin levels drop below the normal range, leading to insufficient oxygen delivery to the body’s tissues. This results in symptoms like fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath.

Anemia can affect anyone, but it is more prevalent in specific groups, such as women of reproductive age, pregnant individuals, and those with chronic diseases. Understanding the types, causes, and symptoms of anemia is crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment.

Types of Anemia

Anemia can be classified into several types, each with unique causes and characteristics:

In iron deficiency anemia , it is a hypochromic, microcytic type of anemia, resulting from inadequate iron supplementation, chronic blood loss seen in men and older women who have ulcers or GI tumors and younger women with heavy menstruation.
Aplastic anemia, on the other hand, is caused by damage to hematopoietic stem cells and the bone marrow. This causes a depression of all blood elements: (pancytopenia): red blood cells (anemia), white blood cells (leukopenia), and platelets (thrombocytopenia).
Pernicious anemia is caused by faulty absorption of vitamin B₁₂ from the GI tract, which is required in the production of red blood cells.

Anemia occurs when there are not enough red blood cells or red blood cells do not function properly resulting in low hemoglobin and a lack of oxygen throughout the body.

Iron-deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia and is appropriately named, as it is a lack of iron in the body. This can result from blood loss, pregnancy, or poor absorption.

Other types of anemia that may be encountered are vitamin-deficiency anemia (low levels of vitamin B12 or folate), aplastic anemia (the bone marrow stops making blood cells), and hemolytic anemia (when blood cells are destroyed faster than they are replaced).

Imbalanced Nutrition: Less Than Body Requirements Anemia Nursing Care Plan

Iron-deficient and vitamin-deficient anemia can occur due to poor dietary intake or an inability to absorb nutrients.

Anemia nursing care plans & Diagnosis: Imbalanced Nutrition

Anemia nursing care plans related to:

Inability to absorb iron or vitamins
Lack of vitamin B12 and folate in the diet
Pregnancy
Gastric bypass surgery
Inflammatory bowel diseases
Vegetarian diet

Anemia nursing care plans as evidenced by:

Pale skin
Feeling cold
Fatigue
Rapid heartbeat
Brittle nails
Hair loss
Craving ice (pagophagia)
Headaches

Anemia nursing care plans expected Outcomes:

Patient will display an improvement in iron and B-12 levels through lab testing
Patient will add three foods high in iron, B-12, and folic acid to their diet
Patient will recognize the signs and symptoms of anemia and when to call their doctor

Fatigue Anemia Care Plan

A lack of oxygen-carrying red blood cells will result in decreased energy and fatigue.

Anemia nursing care plans & Diagnosis: Fatigue

Anemia nursing care plans related to:

Decreased hemoglobin

Anemia nursing care plans as evidenced by:

Exhaustion
Inability to maintain physical activity
Increased need for rest
Reported lack of energy
Lethargy

Anemia nursing care plans expected Outcomes:

Patient will verbalize techniques to conserve energy
Patient will report an increase in energy and ability to perform tasks

Fatigue Assessment

1. Monitor CBC.
Assess the patient’s complete blood count including red blood count and hemoglobin levels. These will be low in anemic patients.

2. Assess for chronic conditions that worsen anemia.
Chronic conditions can cause and contribute to anemia. These include pregnant patients, those with cancer, or autoimmune diseases. Treating the underlying cause of anemia should be a priority.

3. Assess the extent of fatigue in daily life.
Inquire about activities the patient can or cannot perform, the effect it has on their responsibilities and roles, and how they manage their symptoms.

Fatigue Anemia Pain Care Plan Interventions

1. Instruct on energy conservation.
Plan rest periods, delegate tasks to others, cluster activities together, prioritize activities when energy levels are highest.

2. Apply oxygen.
Patients being treated for anemia in the hospital may require supplemental oxygen for very low hemoglobin levels.

3. Administer blood transfusions.
If a patient is severely anemic or has suffered a blood loss causing anemia, blood transfusions may help with fatigue.

4. Administer erythropoietin injections.
Epogen and Procrit are two common injections given that stimulate the bone marrow to produce red blood cells. Patients with cancer, HIV, or kidney disease often have severe anemia and require these injections.

Acute Anemia Care Plan

Acute pain is a nursing diagnosis specific to sickle cell anemia. This genetic condition causes red blood cells to ‘sickle’ and clump together, decreasing blood flow and perfusion causing a pain crisis.

Anemia nursing care plans & Diagnosis: Acute Pain

Anemia nursing care plans related to:

Sickling of red blood cells occluding blood vessels
Lack of perfusion and oxygenation to extremities

Anemia nursing care plans as evidenced by:

Intense complaint of pain anywhere in the body
Pain described as stabbing, sharp, or throbbing
Reduced activity
Restlessness
Distractive behavior (pacing, watching tv, talking on the phone)

Anemia nursing care plans expected Outcomes:

Patient will report a decrease in pain to a level of 2/10 by discharge
Patient will verbalize an understanding of behaviors that trigger a pain crisis
Patient will adhere to the prescribed pain medication regimen

Acute Anemia Pain Care Plan Assessment

1. Assess pain.
Perform a complete pain assessment using a numeric or FACES pain scale. Assess character, duration, frequency, precipitating factors, and any interventions.

2. Assess for acute chest syndrome.
Acute chest syndrome is vaso-occlusion that occurs in the pulmonary vasculature. It is life-threatening and the most common cause of death in sickle cell patients. Monitor for symptoms of chest pain, fever, dyspnea, and infiltrates on a chest x-ray.

3. Assess pain medication regimen.
Many sickle cell pain crises occur due to missed doses of pain medication or an inadequate regimen. Assess the patient’s adherence as well as doses and frequency of pain medication.

Acute Anemia Pain Care Plan Interventions

1. Provide fluids.
IV hydration is a priority for treating a sickle cell crisis. IV fluids will stop or slow the sickling process and reduce pain. Patients should also be encouraged to drink plenty of fluids.

2. Administer analgesics.
Sickle cell patients often have a very high pain tolerance and will receive high doses of narcotics. Some patients may be on a PCA pump until their pain is better controlled. The nurse should closely monitor the patient and provide adequate pain control without over-sedating the patient.

3. Administer blood transfusions.
Depending on the patient’s hemoglobin level, blood transfusions may be necessary to prevent worsening complications and correct anemia. Some patients may receive long-term transfusions monthly on an outpatient basis.

4. Educate on preventing a sickle cell crisis.
Patients should be educated on triggers of a sickle cell crisis to prevent them. Maintaining hydration, preventing infections, avoiding exposure to cold weather, reducing stress, and adhering to medications are necessary to manage sickle cell anemia.

References

1. Anemia Nursing Diagnosis & Care Plan

2. 5 Anemia Nursing Care Plans - Nurseslabs

Anemia Nursing Care Plans

What is Anemia?