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.
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A patient is admitted to the diagnosis of pernicious anemia. The nurse should prepare to administer which of the following medications?
- A. Folic acid
- B. Vitamin B12
- C. Lactulose
- D. Magnesium sulfate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pernicious anemia is characterized by vitamin B12 deficiency. Magnesium sulfate, lactulose, and folic acid do not address the pathology of this type of anemia.
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.
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.
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 young man with a diagnosis of hemophilia A has been brought to emergency department after suffering a workplace accident resulting in bleeding. Rapid assessment has revealed the source of the patient's bleeding and established that his vital signs are stable. What should be the nurse's next action?
- A. Position the patient in a prone position to minimize bleeding.
- B. Establish IV access for the administration of vitamin K.
- C. Prepare for the administration of factor VIII.
- D. Administer a normal saline bolus to increase circulatory volume.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Injuries in patients with hemophilia necessitate prompt administration of clotting factors. Vitamin K is not a treatment modality and a prone position will not be appropriate for all types and locations of wounds. A normal saline bolus is not indicated.
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