K.N.O.W. Home Health - APLASTIC ANEMIA

VIEW/PRINT APLASTIC ANEMIA EDUCATION & HOMEWORK

VIEW/PRINT APLASTIC ANEMIA ANSWER KEY

❓ What is Aplastic Anemia?

Aplastic anemia is a rare but serious condition. It happens when your bone marrow (the soft part inside your bones) stops making enough red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

These cells are very important:

Red blood cells carry oxygen
White blood cells fight infection
Platelets help stop bleeding

When you don’t have enough of these, you can get sick or feel very tired.

⚠️ What Causes Aplastic Anemia?

Doctors don’t always know the cause, but it can happen from:

Autoimmune diseases – when your body attacks its own bone marrow
Certain medicines – like chemotherapy or strong antibiotics
Radiation or toxic chemicals – from work or the environment
Viral infections – like hepatitis or Epstein-Barr virus
Inherited conditions – passed down from family
Unknown reasons – sometimes the cause is never found

✅ Can Aplastic Anemia Be Prevented?

Not always. But you can protect yourself by:

Avoiding exposure to toxic chemicals (like paint thinners, pesticides, or factory fumes)
Letting your doctor know about all the medications you take
Staying away from people who are sick (your immune system may be weak)
Washing hands often to avoid infection
Eating a healthy diet to support your body

📞 When to Call the Home Health Nurse or Doctor

Call your nurse or doctor if you:

Feel more tired than usual
Get frequent nosebleeds or bruises
Notice small red or purple spots on your skin (called petechiae)
Have a low fever (even 100.4°F or higher)
Feel dizzy or short of breath
Have a cut or scrape that won’t stop bleeding

🚨 When to Go to the Emergency Room (ER)

Go to the ER right away if you:

Have trouble breathing
Start bleeding and it won’t stop
Have chest pain or feel very weak
Have a fever over 101°F
Feel confused, faint, or pass out

Tip: Always tell ER staff that you have aplastic anemia, so they know your body may not fight infections or stop bleeding easily.

🛡️ How to Stay Safe and Out of the Hospital

Take all your medications exactly as told
Go to all your appointments and lab tests
Avoid crowds or sick people to lower the risk of infection
Use a soft toothbrush to avoid gum bleeding
Avoid contact sports or rough activities that could cause injury
Eat well and rest when you need to
Stay clean and wash hands often

💬 Final Thoughts

Aplastic anemia is serious, but with good care and the right steps, many people can manage it at home and avoid getting worse. Always listen to your body and contact your nurse or doctor if anything changes.

Aplastic Anemia

Patient Homework/Assessment

Please select if the Statement is True of False. If it is False, Please correct the Statement.

True or False: Aplastic anemia happens when your body makes too many red blood cells.
True or False: Bone marrow is the soft part inside your bones that makes blood cells.
True or False: Red blood cells help your body fight infections.
True or False: Aplastic anemia can be caused by certain medicines, viruses, or chemicals.
True or False: Bruising easily or having nosebleeds could be a sign of aplastic anemia.
True or False: You should only go to the emergency room if you break a bone.
True or False: Having a fever over 101°F is a reason to go to the ER if you have aplastic anemia.
True or False: Aplastic anemia affects the immune system and can make infections more dangerous.
True or False: Aplastic anemia is always passed down from your parents.
True or False: Taking medications as directed can help you stay out of the hospital.
True or False: Avoiding crowds and washing hands often helps prevent infections.
True or False: You should ignore new symptoms until your next scheduled doctor visit.
True or False: It is okay to play contact sports if you have aplastic anemia.
True or False: Petechiae are small red or purple spots on the skin that may be caused by low platelets.
True or False: Your body uses white blood cells to carry oxygen.
True or False: Chest pain, shortness of breath, or fainting should be reported right away.
True or False: Eating healthy and getting rest are part of staying safe with aplastic anemia.
True or False: Bleeding that won’t stop is an emergency if you have aplastic anemia.
True or False: Radiation, infections, and some chemicals can cause aplastic anemia.
True or False: Aplastic anemia always causes symptoms right away.

ASSESSMENT of WELL-BEING INDIVIDUALIZED PATIENT HOMEWORK

Do you know what your most recent blood counts (white blood cells, hemoglobin, and platelets) were, and what they mean for your health right now?”

“What symptoms would you watch for that might mean your platelet count is too low, such as unusual bruising, nosebleeds, or bleeding gums?”

“If you developed a fever or signs of infection, what steps would you take and who would you call right away?”

“What lifestyle changes or precautions are you following to reduce your risk of bleeding or infection at home?”

ANSWER KEY

False — Aplastic anemia happens when your body makes too few blood cells, not too many.
True — Bone marrow is the soft, spongy tissue inside your bones that makes red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
False — Red blood cells carry oxygen. It’s white blood cells that help fight infection.
True — Aplastic anemia can be caused by certain medications, viral infections, radiation, or chemical exposure.
True — Easy bruising and nosebleeds can be signs of low platelets, which are common in aplastic anemia.
False — People with aplastic anemia may need to go to the ER for fever, bleeding, or breathing problems, not just injuries.
True — A fever over 101°F can be dangerous with a weak immune system and should be treated as an emergency.
True — Aplastic anemia affects white blood cells, which weakens the immune system and raises infection risk.
False — Sometimes it’s inherited, but many cases are not genetic and the cause is unknown or due to other factors.
True — Taking your medications on time helps manage the condition and lowers the chance of complications.
True — Because of low immunity, people with aplastic anemia should avoid germs and keep their hands clean.
False — New symptoms like bleeding, weakness, or fever should be reported right away, not delayed.
False — Contact sports can be dangerous because of the risk of bleeding and injury. They should be avoided.
True — Petechiae are small red or purple spots that appear when platelet levels are low.
False — White blood cells fight infection. Red blood cells are the ones that carry oxygen.
True — Chest pain, shortness of breath, and fainting could be signs of a serious problem and need emergency care.
True — A healthy diet and good rest can help your body stay strong and lower your risk of infection or bleeding.
True — Bleeding that won’t stop is an emergency in aplastic anemia because of low platelet counts.
True — Exposure to radiation, certain infections, and toxic chemicals can cause aplastic anemia in some people.
False — Symptoms may come on slowly or not be noticed right away. Some people don’t feel sick until the condition is advanced.