A client with leukemia who is receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy has a platelet count of 25,000/mm3 (25 x 109/L). Which intervention is most important for the nurse to include in this client's plan of care?
Reference Range:
Platelet Count [150,000 to 400,000/mm3 (156 400 x 109/L)]
Assess urine and stool for occult blood.
Obtain client's temperature every 4 hours.
Monitor for signs of activity intolerance
Require visitors to wear respiratory masks.
The Correct Answer is A
A) Correct- With a significantly low platelet count, the risk of bleeding is elevated. Assessing urine and stool for occult (hidden) blood is important to detect any signs of internal bleeding that may not be immediately apparent. A low platelet count increases the risk of spontaneous bleeding, which can be life-threatening if undetected.
B) Incorrect- This choice is related to neutropenia, not thrombocytopenia. Neutropenia, or low neutrophil count, increases the risk of infection, which is why monitoring temperature frequently is important.
C) Incorrect- Monitoring for signs of activity intolerance is not directly related to the low platelet count. The primary concern with thrombocytopenia is the risk of bleeding, not generalized activity intolerance.
D) Incorrect- Requiring visitors to wear respiratory masks is not relevant to the client's current condition of low platelet count. This action is related to infection control and protection from respiratory infections.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
An S3 heart sound can be a normal finding during pregnancy due to increased blood volume and changes in cardiac output. It is known as a physiological S3 and is considered a benign finding in the absence of other concerning symptoms or signs.
In this case, there is no immediate need for intervention or concern regarding the S3 heart sound. It is not necessary to prepare the client for an echocardiogram or limit the client's fluids based solely on the presence of an S3 heart sound in the absence of other significant symptoms or complications.
Correct Answer is ["B","C","D","G","H"]
Explanation
- Capillary refill: This is a quick and simple way to assess the adequacy of peripheral perfusion and can help identify signs of dehydration.
- Skin turgor: Assessing the skin turgor, or the elasticity of the skin, is another useful indicator of dehydration.
- Heart rate: Tachycardia can be a sign of dehydration, so monitoring the heart rate is an important component of the assessment.
- Blood pressure: Blood pressure can be affected by dehydration, so monitoring it is important in determining the severity of dehydration and in guiding appropriate interventions.
- Temperature: Fever is a potential cause of dehydration, so monitoring the temperature is an important part of the assessment.
- Skin color of hands and feet: Checking the color of the skin on the hands and feet can help identify signs of poor perfusion and dehydration.
Assessing the level of consciousness, pupil size and reactiveness, and respiratory rate are important aspects of the neurological and respiratory assessments but are not specific to the assessment of dehydration.
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