| Symptoms
& History
Physical
Findings
Stop
& Think
Lab
and X-Ray
Differential
Diagnosis
The
Disease
Treatment
Conclusions
Quiz
& Evaluation |
|
Just
putting him on an iron supplement would definitely be a bonehead thing
to do.
-
In fact, it would
be malpractice
-
An anemia is a
symptom, not a disease by itself.
-
There is an underlying
cause, and that's the real disease.
So what are
some of the possibilities
-
Lousy nutrition
(possible, but not too likely).
-
Poor absorption
of iron in his diet (possible).
-
Chronic blood loss
-
GI ulcer
-
Esophageal varices
-
GI tumor
-
Hemorrhoids
-
Menstrual bleeding
(OK, it doesn't apply here, but don't forget about this when working up
a woman with these symptoms.)
This guy's lost
15 pounds, he's got something wrong.
Back |
|