Timby's Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing Thirteenth, North American Edition - Introduction to the Hematopoietic and Lymphatic Systems Related

Review Timby's Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing Thirteenth, North American Edition - Introduction to the Hematopoietic and Lymphatic Systems related questions and content

A client has been involved in an automobile accident and is assessed to have an enlarged spleen. What does the nurse understand is the significance of attempting to prevent unnecessary removal of the spleen for this client?

  • A. The spleen is a large lymph node and takes waste debris away.
  • B. The spleen is a lymphatic structure and assists with phagocytosis
  • C. The spleen is lymphoid tissue in the upper chest that contains stem cells.
  • D. The spleen assists with blood clotting.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The spleen is the largest lymphatic structure, is a reservoir of blood, and contains phagocytes that engulf damaged erythrocytes and foreign substances. Lymph fluid takes waste debris away. The thymus is lymphoid tissue that is in the upper chest and contains stem cells. The spleen does not assist with blood clotting.