Nokea
A critical care nurse is caring for a patient with autoimmune hemolytic anemia. The patient is not responding to conservative treatments, and his condition is now becoming life threatening. The nurse is aware that a treatment option in this case may include what?
- A. Hepatectomy
- B. Vitamin K administration
- C. Platelet transfusion
- D. Splenectomy
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A splenectomy may be the course of treatment if autoimmune hemolytic anemia does not respond to conservative treatment. Vitamin K administration is treatment for vitamin K deficiency and does not resolve anemia. Platelet transfusion may be the course of treatment for some bleeding disorders. Hepatectomy would not help the patient.
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A nurse is providing discharge education to a patient who has recently been diagnosed with a bleeding disorder. What topic should the nurse prioritize when teaching this patient?
- A. Avoiding buses, subways, and other crowded, public sites
- B. Avoiding activities that carry a risk for injury
- C. Keeping immunizations current
- D. Avoiding foods high in vitamin K
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Patients with bleeding disorders need to understand the importance of avoiding activities that increase the risk of bleeding, such as contact sports. Immunizations involve injections and may be contraindicated for some patients. Patients with bleeding disorders do not need to normally avoid crowds. Foods high in vitamin K may be beneficial, not detrimental.
The nurse is assessing a new patient with complaints of overwhelming fatigue and a sore tongue that is visibly smooth and beefy red. This patient is demonstrating signs and symptoms associated with what form of what hematologic disorder?
- A. Sickle cell anemia
- B. Hemophilia
- C. Megaloblastic anemia
- D. Thrombocytopenia
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A red, smooth, sore tongue is a symptom associated with megaloblastic anemia. Sickle cell disease, hemophilia, and thrombocytopenia do not have symptoms involving the tongue.
A patient has been living with a diagnosis of anemia for several years and has been experiencing recent declines in hemoglobin levels despite ongoing treatment. Which of the following findings would indicate complications from anemia?
- A. Venous ulcers and visual disturbances
- B. Fever and signs of hyperkalemia
- C. Epistaxis and gastroesophageal reflux
- D. Ascites and peripheral edema
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A significant complication of anemia is heart failure from chronic diminished blood volume and the heart's compensatory effort to increase cardiac output. Patients with anemia should be assessed for signs and symptoms of heart failure, including ascites and peripheral edema. None of the other listed signs and symptoms is characteristic of heart failure.
A patient with a history of atrial fibrillation has contacted the clinic saying that she has accidentally overdosed on her prescribed warfarin (Coumadin). The nurse should recognize the possible need for what antidote?
- A. IVIG
- B. Factor X
- C. Vitamin K
- D. Factor VIII
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Vitamin K is administered as an antidote for warfarin toxicity.
A nurse is caring for a patient with severe anemia. The patient is tachycardic and complains of dizziness and exertional dyspnea. The nurse knows that in an effort to deliver more blood to hypoxic tissue, the workload on the heart is increased. What signs and symptoms might develop if this patient goes into heart failure?
- A. Peripheral edema
- B. Nausea and vomiting
- C. Migraine
- D. Fever
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Cardiac status must be carefully assessed in patients with anemia. When the hemoglobin level is low, the heart attempts to compensate by pumping faster and harder in an effort to deliver more blood to hypoxic tissue. This increased cardiac workload can result in such symptoms as tachycardia, palpitations, dyspnea, dizziness, orthopnea, and exertional dyspnea. Heart failure may eventually develop, as evidenced by an enlarged heart (cardiomegaly) and liver (hepatomegaly), and by peripheral edema. Nausea, migraine, and fever are not associated with heart failure.