A hospitalized client has a platelet count of 58,000/mm3 (58 × 109/L). What action by the nurse is most appropriate?
- A. Encourage high-protein foods.
- B. Institute neutropenic precautions.
- C. Limit visitors to healthy adults.
- D. Place the client on safety precautions.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Place the client on safety precautions. A platelet count of 58,000/mm3 is considered low (normal range is 150,000-450,000/mm3). This places the client at risk for bleeding. Safety precautions involve preventing injuries that could lead to bleeding, such as falls, bumps, or cuts. This is crucial to prevent complications like spontaneous bleeding. Encouraging high-protein foods (choice A) is important for overall health but not directly related to managing low platelet count. Neutropenic precautions (choice B) are for clients with low white blood cell counts, not low platelet counts. Limiting visitors (choice C) to healthy adults is important for infection control but not directly related to preventing bleeding in a client with low platelet count.
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The nurse notes that a patient's gaping wound is developing a blood clot. Which body substance is responsible for this clot formation?
- A. Plasma
- B. Platelets
- C. Red blood cells
- D. White blood cells
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Platelets are responsible for clot formation in the body. When a wound occurs, platelets are activated and adhere to the site, forming a plug to stop bleeding. They release chemicals to further enhance clot formation. Plasma is the liquid component of blood, red blood cells carry oxygen, and white blood cells are part of the immune system, none of which are directly involved in clot formation.
A 72-year-old male with enlargement of superficial lymph nodes and mild hepatosplenomegaly is diagnosed as having chronic lymphatic leukemia (CLL). The most important criteria for diagnosis of this disease is the
- A. Presence of hypogammaglobulinemia
- B. Absolute lymphocytes
- C. Male predominance
- D. Presence of enlarged lymph nodes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Absolute lymphocytes. In CLL, the most important diagnostic criteria is an absolute lymphocyte count greater than 5,000/microliter. This is crucial for distinguishing CLL from other lymphoproliferative disorders. The presence of hypogammaglobulinemia (choice A) is not specific to CLL and can be seen in other conditions. Male predominance (choice C) is an epidemiological feature and not a diagnostic criterion. Enlarged lymph nodes (choice D) are a common clinical finding but do not solely confirm the diagnosis of CLL.
A home health nurse is caring for a patient with multiple myeloma. Which of the following interventions should the nurse prioritize when addressing the patient's severe bone pain?
- A. Implementing distraction techniques
- B. Educating the patient about the effective use of hot and cold packs
- C. Teaching the patient to use NSAIDs effectively
- D. Helping the patient manage the opioid analgesic regimen
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Helping the patient manage the opioid analgesic regimen. This is the priority intervention for severe bone pain in multiple myeloma because opioids are the most effective for managing severe pain. Opioids target the central nervous system to reduce pain perception, providing significant relief. Implementing distraction techniques (A) may offer temporary relief but will not address the underlying pain. Educating about hot and cold packs (B) may be helpful for mild pain but is not sufficient for severe bone pain. Teaching NSAIDs (C) is not recommended for multiple myeloma pain management due to potential kidney issues.
You are treating a patient with localized osteosarcoma of the distal femur with methotrexate, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (MAP) chemotherapy. At week 10 of treatment, the patient undergoes complete resection of the tumor. Pathology demonstrates 40% necrosis. Which of the following represents the most appropriate further therapy?
- A. Ifosfamide and etoposide (IE)
- B. MAP plus ifosfamide and etoposide (MAPIE)
- C. Gemcitabine docetaxel
- D. MAP
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: MAP. In localized osteosarcoma, the response to preoperative chemotherapy is evaluated based on the percentage of tumor necrosis. A necrosis of 40% is considered a good response. The standard of care after surgery is to continue with the same chemotherapy regimen to complete the course. Continuing with MAP in this case is important to ensure that any remaining cancer cells are effectively treated. Option A (IE) and option B (MAPIE) are not indicated as they are different regimens and not the standard of care for this scenario. Option C (Gemcitabine docetaxel) is also not the appropriate choice as it is not the standard treatment protocol for localized osteosarcoma.
An 18-month-old boy, whose parents are first cousins, is referred to you because of a significant episode of epistaxis. The parents report that the child had bleeding after circumcision and large hematomas with immunizations. Platelet aggregation studies show the following: This child's platelets are unable to interact with which of the following?
- A. ADP
- B. Fibrinogen
- C. von Willebrand factor
- D. Platelet factor 4
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Fibrinogen. In this scenario, the child likely has Glanzmann thrombasthenia, a rare inherited platelet disorder where platelets lack functional integrin αIIbβ3, preventing binding to fibrinogen. This results in impaired platelet aggregation and clot formation, leading to bleeding issues. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because platelet aggregation studies would typically show normal interactions with ADP, von Willebrand factor, and Platelet factor 4 in Glanzmann thrombasthenia.