A client has a history of gastric bypass surgery within the past year. She presents to her primary care office for a check-up and states she has been troubled by several seemingly unrelated ailments: a sore tongue, tingling in her fingers, and “almost” falling several times due to lack of balance. The nurse notes that she is pale and slightly tachycardic.
Which type of anemia does the nurse suspect?

This nursing diagnosis is typically not associated with anemia because anemia does not cause dehydration or loss of body fluids. Anemia is a condition in which the hemoglobin concentration or the number of red blood cells is lower than normal, resulting in decreased oxygen delivery to the tissues.

Choice A. Ineffective tissue perfusion is wrong because anemia can impair tissue perfusion by reducing the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.

Choice B. Activity intolerance is wrong because anemia can cause fatigue, weakness, and dyspnea on exertion due to inadequate oxygen supply to the muscles.

Choice D. Risk for decreased cardiac output is wrong because anemia can increase the risk of cardiac complications such as tachycardia, palpitations, angina, and heart failure due to increased cardiac workload and demand for oxygen.

Normal ranges for hemoglobin are 13.5 to 17.5 g/dL for men and 12 to 15.5 g/dL for women; normal ranges for hematocrit are 38.8 to 50% for men and 34.9 to 44.5% for women; normal ranges for red blood cell count are 4.7 to 6.1 million/mm3 for men and 4.2 to 5.4 million/mm3 for women; normal ranges for reticulocyte count are 0.5 to 1.5% of red blood cells.

The client may have a ruptured appendix, which is a life-threatening complication of appendicitis. A ruptured appendix can cause peritonitis, which is an infection of the lining of the abdomen, or an abscess, which is a collection of pus around the appendix. These conditions require immediate medical attention and surgery to remove the appendix and clean the abdominal cavity.

Choice A is wrong because administering the prescribed medication may mask the symptoms of a ruptured appendix and delay diagnosis and treatment.

Choice B is wrong because repositioning the client and applying a heating pad may increase the risk of rupture or spread of infection.

Choice D is wrong because calling the operating room team is not the nurse’s responsibility and may not be feasible depending on the availability of the surgical team and the operating room.