The nurse is providing care for an older adult who has a hematologic disorder. What age-related change in hematologic function should the nurse integrate into care planning?
- A. Bone marrow in older adults produces a smaller proportion of healthy, functional blood cells.
- B. Older adults are less able to increase blood cell production when demand suddenly increases.
- C. Stem cells in older adults eventually lose their ability to differentiate.
- D. The ratio of plasma to erythrocytes and lymphocytes increases with age.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Due to a variety of factors, when an older person needs more blood cells, the bone marrow may not be able to increase production of these cells adequately. Stem cell activity continues throughout the lifespan, although at a somewhat decreased rate. The proportion of functional cells does not greatly decrease and the relative volume of plasma does not change significantly.
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Through the process of hematopoiesis, stem cells differentiate into either myeloid or lymphoid stem cells. Into what do myeloid stem cells further differentiate?
- A. Leukocytes
- B. Natural killer cells
- C. Cytokines
- D. Platelets
- E. Erythrocytes
Correct Answer: A,D,E
Rationale: Myeloid stem cells differentiate into three broad cell types: erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets. Natural killer cells and cytokines do not originate as myeloid stem cells.
A nurse at a blood donation clinic has completed the collection of blood from a woman. The woman states that she feels lightheaded and she appears visibly pale. What is the nurses most appropriate action?
- A. Help her into a sitting position with her head lowered below her knees.
- B. Administer supplementary oxygen by nasal prongs.
- C. Obtain a full set of vital signs.
- D. Inform a physician or other primary care provider.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A donor who appears pale or complains of faintness should immediately lie down or sit with the head lowered below the knees. He or she should be observed for another 30 minutes. There is no immediate need for a physicians care. Supplementary oxygen may be beneficial, but may take too much time to facilitate before a syncopal episode. Repositioning must precede assessment of vital signs.
A patient is receiving a blood transfusion and complains of a new onset of slight dyspnea. The nurses rapid assessment reveals bilateral lung crackles and elevated BP. What is the nurses most appropriate action?
- A. Slow the infusion rate and monitor the patient closely.
- B. Discontinue the transfusion and begin resuscitation.
- C. Pause the transfusion and administer a 250 mL bolus of normal saline.
- D. Discontinue the transfusion and administer a beta-blocker, as ordered.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The patient is showing early signs of hypervolemia; the nurse should slow the infusion rate and assess the patient closely for any signs of exacerbation. At this stage, discontinuing the transfusion is not necessary. A bolus would worsen the patients fluid overload.
The nurse is planning the care of a patient with a nutritional deficit and a diagnosis of megaloblastic anemia. The nurse should recognize that this patients health problem is due to what?
- A. Production of inadequate quantities of RBCs
- B. Premature release of immature RBCs
- C. Injury to the RBCs in circulation
- D. Abnormalities in the structure and function RBCs
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiencies are characterized by the production of abnormally large erythrocytes called megaloblasts. Because these cells are abnormal, many are sequestered (trapped) while still in the bone marrow, and their rate of release is decreased. Some of these cells actually die in the marrow before they can be released into the circulation. This results in megaloblastic anemia. This pathologic process does not involve inadequate production, premature release, or injury to existing RBCs.
A patient has been scheduled for a bone marrow biopsy and admits to the nurse that she is worried about the pain involved with the procedure. What patient education is most accurate?
- A. Youll be given painkillers before the test, so there wont likely be any pain?
- B. Youll feel some pain when the needle enters your skin, but none when the needle enters the bone because of the absence of nerves in bone.
- C. Most people feel some brief, sharp pain when the needle enters the bone.
- D. Ill be there with you, and Ill try to help you keep your mind off the pain.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Patients typically feel a pressure sensation as the needle is advanced into position. The actual aspiration always causes sharp, but brief pain, resulting from the suction exerted as the marrow is aspirated into the syringe; the patient should be warned about this. Stating, Ill try to help you keep your mind off the pain may increase the patients fears of pain, because this does not help the patient know what to expect.
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