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A patient is being treated for DIC and the nurse has prioritized the nursing diagnosis of Risk for Deficient Fluid Volume Related to Bleeding. How can the nurse best determine if goals of care relating to this diagnosis are being met?
- A. Assess for edema.
- B. Assess skin integrity frequently.
- C. Assess the patient's level of consciousness frequently.
- D. Closely monitor intake and output.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The patient with DIC is at a high risk of deficient fluid volume. The nurse can best gauge the effectiveness of care by closely monitoring the patient's intake and output. Each of the other assessments is a necessary element of care, but none addresses fluid balance as directly as close monitoring of intake and output.
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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.
A group of nurses are learning about the high incidence of anemia prevalence of anemia among different populations. Which of the following patients would be the most likely to suffer from anemia a patient?
- A. A 50-year-old African American woman who is going through menopause
- B. An ?¾?????°?½?° ?? 80??80 elderly woman who has a diagnosis of heart failure
- C. A 48-year-old man who travels widely and has a high pressure job
- D. A 13-year-old girl who has just commenced menstruation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The incidence and prevalence of anemia are exceptionally high among older adults, and the risk of anemia is compounded by the presence of heart disease. None of the other listed individuals exhibits high-risk factors for anemia, though exceptionally heavy menstrual flow can result in anemia.
A nurse is providing education to a patient with iron deficiency anemia who has been prescribed iron supplements. What should the nurse include in health education?
- A. Take the iron with dairy products to enhance absorption.
- B. Increase the intake of vitamin E to enhance absorption.
- C. Iron will cause the stools to darken in color.
- D. Limit foods high in fiber due to the risk for diarrhea.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse will inform the patient that iron will cause the stools to become dark in color. Iron should be taken on an empty stomach, as its absorption is affected by food, especially dairy products. Patients should be instructed to increase their intake of vitamin C to enhance iron absorption. Foods high in fiber should be consumed to minimize problems with constipation, a common side effect associated with iron therapy.
A patient's electronic health record notes that he has previously undergone treatment for secondary polycythemia. How should this aspect of the patient's history guide the nurse's subsequent assessment?
- A. The nurse should assess for recent blood donation.
- B. The nurse should assess for evidence of lung disease.
- C. The nurse should assess for a history of venous thromboembolism.
- D. The nurse should assess the patient for impaired renal function.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Any reduction in oxygenation, such as lung disease, can cause secondary polycythemia. Blood donation does not precipitate this problem and impaired renal function typically causes anemia, not polycythemia. A history of VTE is not a likely contributor.
A patient's low prothrombin time (PT) was attributed to a vitamin K deficiency and the patient's PT normalized after administration of vitamin K. When performing discharge education in an effort to prevent recurrence, what should the nurse emphasize?
- A. The need for adequate nutrition
- B. The need to avoid NSAIDs
- C. The need for constant access to factor concentrate
- D. The need for meticulous hygiene
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Vitamin K deficiency is often the result of a nutritional deficit. NSAIDs do not influence vitamin K synthesis and clotting factors are not necessary to treat or prevent a vitamin K deficiency. Hygiene is not related to the onset or prevention of vitamin K deficiency.