I need help with labs!

[Sweeti738]

Ok so my patient has labs of rbc 4.12, h/h 12.7/35.5, and plt 126. He doesn't have anemia and these labs are from when he entered the hospital. He had ischemic heart disease with double bypass in 96', DJD, renal insufficiency, CAD, HTN, dyslipidemia, and acid reflux. No anemia was stated in his chart.

I was thinking his low rbc and h/h could be renal, but why would his platelets be low. PLEASE HELP!

[NCRNMDM, ASN, RN]

I'm in my first semester of nursing school, so this is just a guess, but could he be taking Aspirin or a similar med due to his history of heart related illnesses? Could this explain his low platelet count?

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

You are right about Renal patients being slightly anemic as weel the acid reflux can cause a very slow casula blood loss that is chronic and not enough to cause symptoms from erosion.

Any NSAIDS for the DJD? as they can cause GI issues. Has the patient had a stool send for occult blood?

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/understanding-anemia-basics

[lovescoffee]

Ok so my patient has labs of rbc 4.12, h/h 12.7/35.5, and plt 126. He doesn't have anemia and these labs are from when he entered the hospital. He had ischemic heart disease with double bypass in 96', DJD, renal insufficiency, CAD, HTN, dyslipidemia, and acid reflux. No anemia was stated in his chart.

I was thinking his low rbc and h/h could be renal, but why would his platelets be low. PLEASE HELP!

Just a guess, this pt was also obese. I would definitely inquire about a diabetes type 2 work-up. From what you listed, I would first look at DM r/t metabolic syndrome, as well as assess the pt's ETOH use since this can also lead to plt dysfunction.