mountainous course
Case Study 1
Ms. A. is an apparently healthy 26-year-old white woman. Since the beginning of the current golf season, Ms. A has noted increased shortness of breath and low levels of energy and enthusiasm. These symptoms seem worse during her menses. Today, while playing in a golf tournament at a high, mountainous course, she became light-headed and was taken by her golfing partner to the emergency clinic. The attending physician’s notes indicated a temperature of 98 degrees F, an elevated heart rate and respiratory rate, and low blood pressure. Ms. A states, “Menorrhagia and dysmenorrheal have been a problem for 10-12 years, and I take 1,000 mg of aspirin every 3 to 4 hours for 6 days during menstruation.” During the summer months, while playing golf, she also takes aspirin to avoid “stiffness in my joints.”
Laboratory values are as follows:
Hemoglobin = 8 g/dl
Hematocrit = 32%
Erythrocyte count = 3.1 x 10/mm
RBC smear showed microcytic and hypochromic cells
Reticulocyte count = 1.5%
Other laboratory values were within normal limits.
Question
Considering the circumstances and the preliminary workup, what type of anemia does Ms. A most likely have? In an essay of 500-750 words, explain your answer and include rationale.
© 2013. Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved.
© 2013. Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved.
Case Stud
y 1
Case Study 1
Ms. A. is an apparently healthy 26
–
year
–
old white woman. Since the beginning of the current
golf season, Ms. A has noted increased shortness of breath and low levels of energy and
enthusiasm. These symptoms seem worse during her menses. Today, while playin
g in a golf
tournament at a high, mountainous course, she became light
–
headed and was taken by her golfing
partner to the emergency clinic. The attending physician’s notes indicated a temp
erature
of 98
degrees F, an elevated heart rate and respiratory rate
, and low blood pressure. Ms. A states,
“Menorrhagia and dysmenorrheal have been a problem for 10
–
12 years, and I take 1,000 mg of
aspirin every 3 to 4 hours for 6 days during menstruation.” During the summer months, while
playing golf, she also takes aspi
rin to
avoid “stiffness in my joints.”
Laboratory values are as follows:
Hemoglobin = 8 g/dl
Hematocrit = 32%
Erythrocyte count
= 3.1 x 10/mm
RBC smear showed microcytic and hypochromic cells
Reticulocyte count = 1.5%
Other laboratory values were within n
ormal limits.
Question
Considering the circumstances and the preliminary workup, what type of anemia does Ms. A
most likely have? In an essay of 500
–
750 words, explain your answer and include rationale.
© 2013. Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved.
Case Study 1
Case Study 1
Ms. A. is an apparently healthy 26-year-old white woman. Since the beginning of the current
golf season, Ms. A has noted increased shortness of breath and low levels of energy and
enthusiasm. These symptoms seem worse during her menses. Today, while playing in a golf
tournament at a high, mountainous course, she became light-headed and was taken by her golfing
partner to the emergency clinic. The attending physician’s notes indicated a temperature of 98
degrees F, an elevated heart rate and respiratory rate, and low blood pressure. Ms. A states,
“Menorrhagia and dysmenorrheal have been a problem for 10-12 years, and I take 1,000 mg of
aspirin every 3 to 4 hours for 6 days during menstruation.” During the summer months, while
playing golf, she also takes aspirin to avoid “stiffness in my joints.”
Laboratory values are as follows:
Hemoglobin = 8 g/dl
Hematocrit = 32%
Erythrocyte count = 3.1 x 10/mm
RBC smear showed microcytic and hypochromic cells
Reticulocyte count = 1.5%
Other laboratory values were within normal limits.
Question
Considering the circumstances and the preliminary workup, what type of anemia does Ms. A
most likely have? In an essay of 500-750 words, explain your answer and include rationale.
