A 66-year-old female patient has presented to the emergency department because of several months of intermittently bloody stool that has recently become worse. The woman has since been diagnosed with a gastrointestinal bleed secondary to overuse of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that she takes for her arthritis. The health care team would realize that which of the following situations is most likely to occur?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Ongoing blood loss is associated with iron deficiency anemia due to the depletion of iron stores. She is unlikely to have a depleted blood volume or be at risk for shock, situations more commonly associated with traumatic, sudden blood loss. There would not likely be a delay in the release of reticulocytes.

A 66-Year-Old Female Patient Has Presented to the Emergency Department