The nurse reviews the laboratory test results of a patient admitted with abdominal pain. Which information will be most important for the nurse to communicate to the health care provider?
- A. Monocytes 4%
- B. Hemoglobin 13.6 g/dL
- C. Platelet count 168,000/μL
- D. White blood cell (WBC) count 15,500/μL
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. A low percentage of monocytes can indicate a viral infection. This is crucial information to communicate as it suggests a specific type of infection that may require targeted treatment. Choices B, C, and D do not directly relate to an infectious process and are within normal ranges, so they are not as urgent to communicate to the healthcare provider in this context.
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After a patient with pancytopenia undergoes a bone marrow aspiration from the left posterior iliac crest, which action would be important for the nurse to take?
- A. Elevate the head of the bed to 45 degrees.
- B. Have the patient lie on the left side for 1 hour.
- C. Apply a sterile 2-inch gauze dressing to the site.
- D. Use a half-inch sterile gauze to pack the wound.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: After a bone marrow aspiration, it is important to have the patient lie on the left side for 30 to 60 minutes to decrease the risk of bleeding. Elevating the head of the bed to 45 degrees does not directly address the risk of bleeding. Applying a sterile 2-inch gauze dressing to the site is important for wound care but does not specifically address post-procedural positioning. Using a half-inch sterile gauze to pack the wound is not necessary after a bone marrow aspiration.
Several patients call the outpatient clinic and ask to make an appointment as soon as possible. Which patient should the nurse schedule to be seen first?
- A. A 44-year-old with sickle cell anemia who reports his eyes always look somewhat yellow
- B. A 23-year-old with no previous health problems who has a nontender lump in the axilla
- C. A 50-year-old with early-stage chronic lymphocytic leukemia who reports chronic fatigue
- D. A 19-year-old with hemophilia who wants to learn to self-administer factor VII replacement
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The patient's young age and the presence of a nontender lump in the axilla raise concerns for possible lymphoma, which requires prompt evaluation and treatment. This patient should be seen first to rule out any serious underlying condition. Choice A is less urgent as yellowish eyes in sickle cell anemia may be due to jaundice but not necessarily an acute issue. Choice C, a 50-year-old with chronic fatigue related to early-stage chronic lymphocytic leukemia, is a known condition that can be managed on a routine basis. Choice D, a 19-year-old with hemophilia wanting to self-administer factor VII replacement, is important but less urgent compared to the potential lymphoma presentation in choice B.
An appropriate nursing intervention for a patient with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma whose platelet count drops to 18,000/µL during chemotherapy is to
- A. check all stools for occult blood
- B. encourage fluids to 3000 mL/day
- C. provide oral hygiene every 2 hours
- D. check the temperature every 4 hours
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to check all stools for occult blood. With a platelet count of 18,000/µL, the patient is at a high risk of spontaneous bleeding. Checking stools for occult blood can help detect any internal bleeding early. Encouraging fluids and providing oral hygiene are important interventions in general, but in this case, monitoring for bleeding takes precedence. Checking the temperature every 4 hours is not directly related to the patient's current condition and platelet count.
Which instruction will the nurse plan to include in discharge teaching for a patient admitted with a sickle cell crisis?
- A. Take a daily multivitamin with iron
- B. Limit fluids to 2 to 3 quarts per day
- C. Avoid exposure to crowds when possible
- D. Drink only two caffeinated beverages daily
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'Avoid exposure to crowds when possible.' This instruction is crucial in discharge teaching for a patient admitted with a sickle cell crisis because exposure to crowds increases the risk of infection, which is the most common cause of sickle cell crisis. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Taking a daily multivitamin with iron (Choice A) may be beneficial for some individuals but is not specifically related to managing sickle cell crisis. Limiting fluids to 2 to 3 quarts per day (Choice B) is not typically recommended for patients with sickle cell crisis, as adequate hydration is important. Drinking only two caffeinated beverages daily (Choice D) is not a priority instruction in managing sickle cell crisis.
Which statement by a patient indicates good understanding of the nurse¢â‚¬â„¢s teaching about prevention of sickle cell crisis?
- A. Home oxygen therapy is frequently used to decrease sickling.
- B. There are no effective medications that can help prevent sickling.
- C. Routine continuous dosage narcotics are prescribed to prevent a crisis.
- D. Risk for a crisis is decreased by having an annual influenza vaccination.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.