Anemia History

• CC: most likely will present as fatigue;
  • Onset: first time? When? Sudden\gradual? Continuous\intermittent? What were you doing?
  • Timing: day\night? How frequent?
  • Aggravating\relieving factors: activity, certain foods?
  • Severity: 1-10 scale? Interfering w\ ADL?

• Associated sx:
  • Constitutional: fever, wt loss, loss of appetite, night sweats, chills, lymphadenopathy?
  • Anemia: headache, palpitations, dizziness, fatigue?
  • Blood loss: Easy bruising? Bleeding from gums, nose? Vomiting or coughing up blood? Blood in stool, urine? Menorrhagia?
  • Hemolysis: jaundice, dark urine, pale stool, gallstones, abdominal pain?
  • Sickle cells: strokes, SOB, chest pain, bone pains, leg ulcers?
  • Neurological: numbness\tingling, unsteady gait, confusion, visual problems?
  • Nutrition: specific diet, avoids certain foods, craving non-nutritional materials (sand, ice)?
  • DDx:
    • Hypothyroid: constipation, cold intolerance, wt gain, hair loss?
    • Heart failure: orthopnea, PND, LL swelling?
    • Autoimmune: joint pain\swelling?

• PMHx:
  • Diseases:
    • Chronic ds (HTN, DM, DLP)
    • Hematological, renal ds
    • Infections, malignancy
  • Medications: NSAIDs, steroids, aspirin, anticoagulants, antibiotics, antimalarial, supplements
  • Surgery (splenectomy), hospitalization (ICU admissions), trauma
  • Blood transfusions, IV drug use, tattoos
  • Allergies

• FMHx:
  • Similar complaint?
  • Same diseases as in PMHx?

• Social Hx:
  • Occupation, marital status, children?
  • Smoking, alcohol, recreational drugs?
  • Travel Hx, contact with sick pts?
  • Diet, exercise

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