Discussion: Hematologic Disorders

In the 1970s, the average lifespan for patients diagnosed with sickle cell disease was 14 years. Today, the average lifespan has increased to 50 years and beyond (TriHealth, 2012). The patient prognosis for many other hematologic disorders, such as hemophilia and cancer, continue to improve, as well. This can be attributed to advancements in medical care-specifically, drug therapy and treatment. When managing drug therapies for patients, it is essential to continually examine current treatments and evaluate the impact of patient factors on drug effectiveness. To prepare for your role as an advanced practice nurse, it is important for you to become familiar with common drug treatments for various hematologic disorders seen in clinical settings.

To prepare:

• Review Chapter 21 of the Huether and McCance text and Chapter 49 and Chapter 50 of the Arcangelo text.

If your last name begins with the letters A-L:

• Select one of the following hematologic disorders: anemia, cancer, white blood cell disorders, or thrombolytic disorders. Consider the pathophysiology, as well as the types of drugs that would be used to treat your selected disorder.

• Select one of the following factors: age or behavior. Consider how your selected factor might impact the pathophysiology of the disorder. Then, reflect on how your selected factor might impact the effects of drug treatments, as well as measures you might take to help reduce any negative effects.

If your last name begins with the letters M-Z:

• Select one of the following genetic hematologic disorders: sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, or hemophilia. Consider the pathophysiology, as well as the types of drugs that would be used to treat your selected disorder.

• Select one of the following factors: gender or ethnicity. Consider how your selected factor might impact the pathophysiology of the disorder. Then, reflect on how your selected factor might impact the effects of drug treatments, as well as measures you might take to help reduce any negative side effects.

Post a description of the hematologic disorder you selected, including its pathophysiology and types of drugs that would be prescribed to treat patients. Then, explain how the factor you selected might impact the pathophysiology of the disorder as well as the effects of prescribed drugs. Explain measures you might take to help reduce any negative side effects.