Which of the following statements made by a patient with polycythemia indicates an understanding of the disease?
A) "I have thin blood that will not clot."
B) "I may need blood transfusions"
C) "I have an overproduction of red cells from my bone marrow."
D) "I have elevated iron levels."
C) "I have an overproduction of red cells from my bone marrow."
Explanation: A) The clinical manifestations of polycythemia reflect the increased blood viscosity and blood volume that result from the increased number of red blood cells. The increased thickness of the blood places the patient at an increased risk for the development of thrombi, or blood clots.
B) Therapeutic erythropheresis (also known as blood-letting) is often employed to reduce the number of red blood cells and to dilute the concentration within the bloodstream. Because the patient has an increased blood volume and number of red blood cells, transfusion should not be given.
C) In polycythemia, there is an increase in the production of erythrocytes on the part of bone marrow.
D) In polycythemia, iron counts are often decreased, owing to consumption of iron in the increased production of erythrocytes.
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