Nokea
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.
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The health care provider orders an ultrasound of the spleen for a patient who has been in a car accident. Which of the following actions should the nurse take before this procedure?
- A. Check for any iodine allergy
- B. Insert a large-bore IV catheter
- C. Place the patient on NPO status
- D. Assist the patient to a flat position
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The patient is placed in a flat position before splenic ultrasound. The patient does not have to be NPO or have an IV line. No iodine-containing materials are used for ultrasound.
The nurse is evaluating the red cell indices result of a patient's laboratory report. Which of the following interpretations is correct related to a low mean corpuscular volume (MCV)?
- A. Hypochromic red blood cells (RBCs)
- B. Inadequate numbers of RBCs
- C. Low hemoglobin in the RBCs
- D. Small size of the RBCs
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The MCV is low when the RBCs are smaller than normal. Inadequate numbers of RBCs are an indication of anemia. Low levels of hemoglobin in the RBCs and hypochromic RBCs result in a low mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH).
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.
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.
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.