 A plastic anemia is a rare disease.

CAUSED BY:
 A decrease in or damage to marrow stem cells.
 Damage to the environment within the marrow.
 Replacement of the marrow with fat.
 The exact etiology is unknown.
 Studies says that: Body's T cells mediate inappropriate attack
against the bone marrow, resulting in bone marrow
aplasia(markedly reduced hematopoiesis).
 Congenital or acquired but most cases are idiopathic.
 Toxic materials like inorganic arsenic, glycol ethers and
radon.
 Gamma radiation.
 Symptoms are insidious in onset.
 Infection.
 Symptoms of anemia(fatigue, pallor, dyspnea).
 Purpura(Bruising).
 Spleenomegaly.
 Lymphadenopthies.
 Retinal hemorrhage(common)
 H/C & P/E.
 Bone marrow aspiration( Extremely hypoplastic or aplastic)
Marrow gets replaced with fat.
 Immunosuppressive therapy.
 Blood transfusion of packed RBCS and platelets.
 Bone Marrow Transplantation(BMT).
 Death usually occurs due to hemorrhage or infection.
 The nurse should assess the signs of infection and bleeding.
 Nurse must monitor the S/E of therapy.
 The patient also need to understand the importance of not
abruptly stopping their immunosuppressive therapy.