Wongs Essentials of Pediatric Nursing 11th Edition Test Bank Related

Review Wongs Essentials of Pediatric Nursing 11th Edition Test Bank related questions and content

A patient admitted with gastrointestinal tract bleeding has a hemoglobin level of 6 g/dL. She asks the nurse why she feels SOB. Which response is best?

  • A. "Anemia prevents your lungs from absorbing oxygen effectively."
  • B. "You do not have enough hemoglobin to carry oxygen to your tissues."
  • C. ""You don't have enough blood to feed your cells."
  • D. "You have lost a lot of blood, and that has damaged your lungs."
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The best response is option B, "You do not have enough hemoglobin to carry oxygen to your tissues." Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the tissues throughout the body. With a low hemoglobin level of 6 g/dL due to gastrointestinal tract bleeding, there is a reduced capacity to carry oxygen to the body's tissues. This decreased oxygen-carrying capacity leads to symptoms of shortness of breath (SOB) because the body's cells are not receiving an adequate supply of oxygen. It is important to provide a clear and accurate explanation to the patient about the relationship between hemoglobin, oxygen transport, and symptoms of anemia like shortness of breath.