Nokea
The nurse is caring for a patient who had an intraoperative hemorrhage 12 hours ago. Which of the following laboratory results should the nurse anticipate?
- A. Hematocrit of 45%
- B. Hemoglobin of 132 g/L
- C. Decreased white blood cell (WBC) count
- D. Elevated reticulocyte count
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Hemorrhage causes the release of more immature RBCs from the bone marrow into the circulation. The hematocrit and hemoglobin levels are normal. The WBC count is not affected by bleeding.
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The nurse is providing discharge teaching to a patient who has had an emergency splenectomy following an automobile accident. Which of the following events should the nurse inform the patient that they are at an increased risk of developing?
- A. Infection
- B. Lymphedema
- C. Persistent anemia
- D. Prolonged bleeding
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The spleen plays a major role in immune function. Splenectomy increases the risk for infection, especially with gram-positive bacteria. The risks for lymphedema, bleeding, and anemia are not increased after splenectomy.
The nurse is caring for a patient whose complete blood count (CBC) and differential indicate that the patient is neutropenic. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care?
- A. Avoid intramuscular injections
- B. Encourage increased oral fluids
- C. Check temperature every 4 hours
- D. Increase intake of iron-rich foods
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Neutropenic patients are at high risk for infection and sepsis and should be monitored frequently for signs of infection. The other actions would not address the patient's neutropenia.
While examining the lymph nodes during physical assessment, the nurse would be most concerned about which of the following findings?
- A. A 2-cm nontender supraclavicular node
- B. A 1-cm mobile and nontender axillary node
- C. An inability to palpate any superficial lymph nodes
- D. Firm inguinal nodes in a patient with an infected foot
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Enlarged and nontender nodes are most suggestive of malignancy such as lymphoma. Firm nodes are an expected finding in an area of infection. The superficial lymph nodes are usually not palpable in adults, but if they are palpable, they are normally 0.5-1 cm and nontender.
The nurse is obtaining a health history from a patient and notes numerous petechiae. Which of the following assessments should the nurse anticipate?
- A. Bruising on the skin
- B. Pinpoint purplish-red lesions
- C. Small focal red lesions
- D. Brown spots on mucous membranes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Petechiae are small, purplish-red lesions. Ecchymosis is bruising on the skin. Small focal red lesions are telangiectasia. Purpura are small hemorrhages on the skin or mucous membranes resulting in a rash of purple, red, or brown spots.
The nurse is caring for a newly admitted patient whose complete blood count (CBC) shows a 'shift to the left.' Which of the following assessments should the nurse monitor in the plan of care?
- A. Cool extremities
- B. Pallor and weakness
- C. Elevated temperature
- D. Low oxygen saturation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The term shift to the left indicates that the number of immature polymorphonuclear neutrophils, or bands, is elevated and is a sign of severe infection. There is no indication that the patient is at risk for hypoxemia, pallor or weakness, or cool extremities.