Word parts
What it means
A condition in which the blood carries less oxygen than it should because there are too few red blood cellred blud selA blood cell that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues; also called an erythrocyte.Full entry or too little hemoglobinHEE-muh-gloh-binThe iron-containing protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen, and the blood test that measures it.hem/o bloodglobin proteinFull entry . Causes include blood loss, too little iron, vitamin B12 or folate, kidney disease and the breaking down of red cells. Clients feel tired and weak, look pale, and may be short of breath, dizzy or have a fast heart rate.
For the nurse
Check the hemoglobin and hematocrit, skin color, heart rate and how well the client tolerates activity. Plan rest between activities and help with walking if the client is dizzy. Teach iron-rich foods and how to take iron pills: they can upset the stomach and turn stools dark green or black.
In a chart
"Hgb 8.1 g/dL; client pale, reports fatigue and dizziness when standing."
At a glance
| Spanish | anemia |
|---|---|
| Also written | anemias, anaemia, anemic, anaemic |
Related terms
a-
A word beginning that means without, not or absence of; written an- before a vowel.
hemoglobin
The iron-containing protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen, and the blood test that measures it.
hem/o
A word part that means blood.
red blood cell
A blood cell that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues; also called an erythrocyte.
-emia
A word ending that means a condition of the blood, or something in the blood.