Nokea
The nurse educating a patient with anemia is describing the process of RBC production. When the patients kidneys sense a low level of oxygen in circulating blood, what physiologic response is initiated?
- A. Increased stem cell synthesis
- B. Decreased respiratory rate
- C. Arterial vasoconstriction
- D. Increased production of erythropoietin
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: If the kidney detects low levels of oxygen, as occurs when fewer red cells are available to bind oxygen (i.e., anemia), erythropoietin levels increase. The body does not compensate with vasoconstriction, decreased respiration, or increased stem cell activity.
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A patients diagnosis of atrial fibrillation has prompted the primary care provider to prescribe warfarin (Coumadin), an anticoagulant. When assessing the therapeutic response to this medication, what is the nurses most appropriate action?
- A. Assess for signs of myelosuppression.
- B. Review the patients platelet level.
- C. Assess the patients capillary refill time.
- D. Review the patients international normalized ratio (INR).
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The INR and aPTT serve as useful screening tools for evaluating a patients clotting ability and to monitor the therapeutic effectiveness of anticoagulant medications. The patients platelet level is not normally used as a short-term indicator of anticoagulation effectiveness. Assessing the patient for signs of myelosuppression and capillary refill time does not address the effectiveness of anticoagulants.
A patient undergoing a hip replacement has autologous blood on standby if a transfusion is needed. What is the primary advantage of autologous transfusions?
- A. Safe transfusion for patients with a history of transfusion reactions
- B. Prevention of viral infections from another persons blood
- C. Avoidance of complications in patients with alloantibodies
- D. Prevention of alloimmunization
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The primary advantage of autologous transfusions is the prevention of viral infections from another persons blood. Other secondary advantages include safe transfusion for patients with a history of transfusion reactions, prevention of alloimmunization, and avoidance of complications in patients with alloantibodies.
A patients wound has begun to heal and the blood clot which formed is no longer necessary. When a blood clot is no longer needed, the fibrinogen and fibrin will be digested by which of the following?
- A. Plasminogen
- B. Thrombin
- C. Prothrombin
- D. Plasmin
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The substance plasminogen is required to lyse (break down) the fibrin. Plasminogen, which is present in all body fluids, circulates with fibrinogen and is therefore incorporated into the fibrin clot as it forms. When the clot is no longer needed (e.g., after an injured blood vessel has healed), the plasminogen is activated to form plasmin. Plasmin digests the fibrinogen and fibrin. Prothrombin is converted to thrombin, which in turn catalyzes the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin so a clot can form.
A man suffers a leg wound which causes minor blood loss. As a result of bleeding, the process of primary hemostasis is activated. What occurs in primary hemostasis?
- A. Severed blood vessels constrict.
- B. Thromboplastin is released.
- C. Prothrombin is converted to thrombin.
- D. Fibrin is lysed.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Primary hemostasis involves the severed vessel constricting and platelets collecting at the injury site. Secondary hemostasis occurs when thromboplastin is released, prothrombin converts to thrombin, and fibrin is lysed.
An interdisciplinary team has been commissioned to create policies and procedures aimed at preventing acute hemolytic transfusion reactions. What action has the greatest potential to reduce the risk of this transfusion reaction?
- A. Ensure that blood components are never infused at a rate greater than 125 mL/hr.
- B. Administer prophylactic antihistamines prior to all blood transfusions.
- C. Establish baseline vital signs for all patients receiving transfusions.
- D. Be vigilant in identifying the patient and the blood component.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The most common causes of acute hemolytic reaction are errors in blood component labeling and patient identification that result in the administration of an ABO-incompatible transfusion. Actions to address these causes are necessary in all health care settings. Prophylactic antihistamines are not normally administered, and would not prevent acute hemolytic reactions. Similarly, baseline vital signs and slow administration will not prevent this reaction.