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The nurse provides care for an older adult client, diagnosed with anemia, who has a hemoglobin of 9.6 g/dL and a hematocrit of 34%. To determine the cause of the client's blood loss, which is the priority nursing action?
- A. Evaluate the client's dietary intake.
- B. Observe the client's stools for blood.
- C. Monitor the client's body temperature.
- D. Monitor the client's blood pressure (BP).
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: If an older adult is anemic, blood loss from the gastrointestinal (GI) or genitourinary (GU) tracts is suspected. Observing the stool for blood will determine if the source of the client's bleeding is in the GI tract. Iron-deficiency anemia is unusual in older adults because the body does not eliminate excessive iron, thus increasing total body iron stores and necessitating maintenance of hydration. If evaluation of the GI and GU tracts does not reveal a source of bleeding, evaluating the client's diet may be appropriate; however, this is not the priority nursing action. Monitoring the client's body temperature and BP will assist the nurse in determining the source of the client's blood loss, but these are not priority nursing actions.
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The nurse observes the laboratory studies for a client in the hospital with fatigue, feeling cold all of the time, and hemoglobin of 8.6 g/dL and a hematocrit of 28%. What finding would be an indicator of iron-deficiency anemia?
- A. Erythrocytes that are microcytic and hypochromic
- B. Erythrocytes that are macrocytic and hyperchromic
- C. Clustering of platelets with sickled red blood cells
- D. An increased number of erythrocytes
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A blood smear reveals erythrocytes that are microcytic (smaller than normal) and hypochromic (lighter in color than normal). It does not reveal macrocytic (larger than normal) or hyperchromic erythrocytes. Clustering of platelets with sickled red blood cells would indicate sickle cell anemia. An increase in the number of erythrocytes would indicate polycythemia vera.
A client with a diagnosis of pernicious anemia comes to the clinic complaining of numbness and tingling in his arms and legs. What do these symptoms indicate?
- A. Loss of vibratory and position senses
- B. Neurologic involvement
- C. Severity of the disease
- D. Insufficient intake of dietary nutrients
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In clients with pernicious anemia, numbness and tingling in the arms and legs and ataxia are the most common signs of neurologic involvement. Some affected clients lose vibratory and position senses. Jaundice, irritability, confusion, and depression are present when the disease is severe. Insufficient intake of dietary nutrients is not indicated by these symptoms.
A client is being treated in the hospital for hypovolemia related to a bleeding peptic ulcer. The nurse obtains a blood pressure reading of 88/62 mm Hg, heart rate of 112 beats/minute, and a respiratory rate of 24 breaths/minute. What is the first action by the nurse?
- A. Administer blood.
- B. Notify the physician.
- C. Insert two large-bore intravenous catheters.
- D. Administer a colloid solution.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A systolic blood pressure below 90 mm Hg and heart rate above 100 beats/minute should be reported immediately. Administering blood, inserting two large-bore IV catheters, and administration of a colloid solution should be performed only with a physician's prescription and may not be required at this time.
The nurse is assigned to care for a client with polycythemia vera. When the nurse encourages the client to drink 3 L of fluid per day, the client states, 'Why do I have to drink so much?' What is the best response by the nurse?
- A. We don't want you to get dehydrated.
- B. It helps adequately hydrate you and ensures a sufficient urine production.
- C. It will help your heart beat regularly and effectively.
- D. It will help restrict blood circulation.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The client should be advised to drink 3 quarts (or liters) per day. Adequate hydration promotes venous return and ensures sufficient urine production. Informing the client that the healthcare team does not want them to get dehydrated does not address the rationale that the client requires. Fluid hydration will not help the heart beat regularly or more effectively and it will not help to restrict blood circulation.
The nurse is collecting data for a client who has been diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia. What subjective findings does the nurse recognize as symptoms related to this type of anemia?
- A. I feel hot all of the time.
- B. I have a difficult time falling asleep at night.
- C. I have an increase in my appetite.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Most clients with iron-deficiency anemia have reduced energy, feel cold all the time, and experience fatigue and dyspnea with minor physical exertion. The heart rate usually is rapid even at rest. The CBC and hemoglobin, hematocrit, and serum iron levels are decreased. The client would feel cold and not hot. The client is fatigued and able to sleep often with a decrease in appetite, not an increase.