Nokea
A patient with Von Willebrand disease (vWD) has experienced recent changes in bowel function that suggest the need for a screening colonoscopy. What intervention should be performed in anticipation of this procedure?
- A. The patient should not undergo the normal bowel cleansing protocol prior to the procedure.
- B. The patient should receive a unit of fresh-frozen plasma 48 hours before the procedure.
- C. The patient should be admitted to the surgical unit on the day before the procedure.
- D. The patient should be given necessary clotting factors before the procedure.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A goal of treating vWD is to replace the deficient protein (e.g., vWF or factor VIII) prior to an invasive procedure to prevent subsequent bleeding. Bowel cleansing is not contraindicated and FFP does not reduce the patient's risk of bleeding. There may or may not be a need for preprocedure hospital admission.
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A patient, 25 years of age, comes to the emergency department complaining of excessive bleeding from a cut sustained when cleaning a knife. Blood work shows a prolonged PT but a vitamin K deficiency is ruled out. When assessing the patient, areas of ecchymosis are noted on other areas of the body. Which of the following is the most plausible cause of the patients signs and symptoms?
- A. Lymphoma
- B. Leukemia
- C. Hemophilia
- D. Hepatic dysfunction
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Prolongation of the PT, unless it is caused by vitamin K deficiency, may indicate severe hepatic dysfunction. The majority of hemophiliacs are diagnosed as children. The scenario does not describe signs or symptoms of lymphoma or leukemia.
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 patient with a pulmonary embolism is being treated with a heparin infusion. What diagnostic finding suggests to the nurse that treatment is effective?
- A. The patient's PT is within reference ranges.
- B. Arterial blood sampling tests positive for the presence of factor XIII.
- C. The patient's platelet level is below 100,000/mm3.
- D. The patient's activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is 1.5 to 2.5 times the control value.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The therapeutic effect of heparin is monitored by serial measurements of the aPTT; the dose is adjusted to maintain the range at 1.5 to 2.5 times the laboratory control. Heparin dosing is not determined on the basis of platelet levels, the presence or absence of clotting factors, or PT levels.
The medical nurse is aware that patients with sickle cell anemia benefit from understanding what situations can precipitate a sickle cell crisis. When teaching a patient with sickle cell anemia about strategies to prevent crises, what measures should the nurse recommend?
- A. Using prophylactic antibiotics and performing meticulous hygiene
- B. Maximizing physical activity and taking OTC iron supplements
- C. Limiting psychosocial stress and eating a high-protein diet
- D. Avoiding cold temperatures and ensuring sufficient hydration
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Keeping warm and providing adequate hydration can be effective in diminishing the occurrence and severity of attacks. Hygiene, antibiotics, and high protein intake do not prevent crises. Maximizing activity may exacerbate pain and be unrealistic.
An intensive care nurse is aware of the need to identify patients who may be at risk of developing disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Which of the following ICU patients most likely faces the highest risk of DIC?
- A. A patient with extensive burns
- B. A patient who has a diagnosis of acute respiratory distress syndrome
- C. A patient who suffered multiple trauma in a workplace accident
- D. A patient who is being treated for septic shock
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Sepsis is a common cause of DIC. A wide variety of acute illnesses can precipitate DIC, but sepsis is specifically identified as a cause.