Nokea
A client with thrombocytopenia secondary to leukemia develops epistaxis. The nurse should instruct the client to:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse should instruct the client to sit upright, leaning slightly forward when experiencing epistaxis (nosebleed). This position helps prevent blood from dripping down the back of the throat, reducing the risk of aspiration. In the case of a client with thrombocytopenia secondary to leukemia, the blood may have difficulty clotting due to low platelet counts. Therefore, it is important to minimize bleeding as much as possible. Lying supine with the neck extended may increase the risk of blood flowing down the throat, while blowing the nose or putting lateral pressure on it may aggravate the bleeding. Holding the nose while bending forward at the waist may also increase blood flow towards the head. Sitting upright, leaning slightly forward is the safest position to prevent complications associated with epistaxis in this case.