A laboratory technician arrives to draw blood for a complete blood count (CBC) for a client who had a right-sided mastectomy 8 hours ago. The client has an intravenous line with fluid infusing in her left antecubital space. To obtain the blood specimen, the technician places a tourniquet on the client's right arm. Which action by the nurse would be most appropriate?

Call the surgeon to perform a femoral puncture.

Assist in holding the client's arm still.

Tell the technician to obtain the blood sample from the client's left arm.

Suggest a finger stick be done on one of the client's left fingers.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A: Call the surgeon to perform a femoral puncture. This action is not appropriate because it is unnecessary and invasive. A femoral puncture is a procedure that involves inserting a needle into the femoral vein in the groin area to obtain a blood sample. It is usually reserved for situations where other veins are inaccessible or unsuitable, such as in trauma or shock. It is not indicated for a routine CBC test.

Choice B: Assist in holding the client's arm still. This action is not appropriate because it is harmful and contraindicated. Holding the client's arm still may cause injury or infection to the arm that has undergone surgery and lymph node removal. It may also increase the risk of lymphedema, which is a condition that causes swelling and pain in the arm due to fluid accumulation and impaired lymphatic drainage.

Choice C: Tell the technician to obtain the blood sample from the client's left arm. This action is appropriate because it is safe and recommended. Obtaining the blood sample from the client's left arm can avoid complications such as injury, infection, or lymphedema in the right arm that has undergone surgery and lymph node removal. The technician can use a different site than the antecubital space, such as the hand or wrist, to avoid interfering with the intravenous line.

Choice D: Suggest a finger stick be done on one of the client's left fingers. This action is not appropriate because it is unreliable and inaccurate. A finger stick is a procedure that involves pricking the finger with a lancet to obtain a small amount of blood for testing. It is usually used for point-of-care testing, such as glucose or hemoglobin levels, but not for a CBC test. A CBC test requires a larger volume of blood and a venous sample for accurate results.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A: Vomiting is not the most serious side effect because it is a common and manageable side effect of chemotherapy. Vomiting is a reflex action that expels the contents of the stomach through the mouth. It can be caused by various factors such as nausea, motion sickness, or infection. It can also be caused by chemotherapy, which can irritate the lining of the stomach or trigger the vomiting center in the brain. Vomiting can be prevented or treated with antiemetic drugs, hydration, and dietary changes.

Choice B: Fatigue is not the most serious side effect because it is a common and manageable side effect of chemotherapy. Fatigue is a condition that causes extreme tiredness or exhaustion that is not relieved by rest or sleep. It can be caused by various factors such as anemia, inflammation, or pain. It can also be caused by chemotherapy, which can damage healthy cells and tissues and affect the body's energy production. Fatigue can be managed with exercise, nutrition, and stress reduction.

Choice C: Hair loss is not the most serious side effect because it is a common and temporary side effect of chemotherapy. Hair loss is a condition that causes hair to fall out from the scalp or other parts of the body. It can be caused by various factors such as genetics, hormones, or infection. It can also be caused by chemotherapy, which can target rapidly dividing cells such as hair follicles and prevent hair growth. Hair loss usually occurs within two to four weeks after starting chemotherapy and reverses within six months after stopping chemotherapy.

Choice D: Myelosuppression is the most serious side effect because it is a rare and life-threatening side effect of chemotherapy. Myelosuppression is a condition that causes a decrease in the production of blood cells in the bone marrow. It can lead to anemia (low red blood cells), neutropenia (low white blood cells), and thrombocytopenia (low platelets), which can cause symptoms such as weakness, infection, and bleeding. It can also be caused by chemotherapy, which can target rapidly dividing cells such as bone marrow cells and impair blood cell formation. Myelosuppression requires close monitoring and treatment with blood transfusions, growth factors, or antibiotics.

A. Sleep disturbances B. Syncope C. Unusual fatigue D. Extreme hunger E. Arm pain

Correct Answer is ["A","C","E"]

Explanation

Choice A: Sleep disturbances are the correct answer because they are a symptom of a heart attack observed in women. Sleep disturbances are problems that affect the quality or quantity of sleep, such as insomnia, nightmares, or snoring. They can indicate that the heart is not pumping enough blood and oxygen to meet the body's needs during sleep. About 48% of women who have had a heart attack report having sleep disturbances in the weeks before their event.

Choice B: Syncope is not the correct answer because it is not a symptom of a heart attack observed in women. Syncope is a condition that causes a temporary loss of consciousness due to a drop in blood pressure or blood flow to the brain. It can be caused by various factors such as dehydration, medication side effects, or cardiac arrhythmias. However, it is not a common sign of a heart attack in women, and only about 12% of women who have had a heart attack report having syncope before their event.

Choice C: Unusual fatigue is the correct answer because it is a symptom of a heart attack observed in women. Unusual fatigue is a feeling of extreme tiredness or exhaustion that is not relieved by rest or sleep. It can indicate that the heart is not pumping enough blood and oxygen to meet the body's needs during daily activities. About 70% of women who have had a heart attack report having unusual fatigue in the weeks before their event.

Choice D: Extreme hunger is not the correct answer because it is not a symptom of a heart attack observed in women. Extreme hunger is a feeling of intense or excessive appetite or craving for food. It can be caused by various factors such as diabetes, thyroid disorder, or stress. However, it is not a sign of a heart attack in women, and only about 4% of women who have had a heart attack report having extreme hunger before their event.

Choice E: Arm pain is the correct answer because it is a symptom of a heart attack observed in women. Arm pain is a feeling of discomfort or ache in one or both arms, especially the left arm. It can indicate that the heart muscle is not receiving enough blood and oxygen due to a blocked coronary artery. About 42% of women who have had a heart attack report having arm pain before their event.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A woman with breast cancer is undergoing chemotherapy. Which side effect would the nurse interpret as being most serious?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A nurse is preparing a class discussion on the clinical manifestations of a heart attack observed in women. Which symptoms would the nurse include as key assessment data? Select all that apply.

Correct Answer is ["A","C","E"]

Explanation

A postmenopausal woman with uterine prolapse is being fitted with a pessary. The nurse would be most alert for which side effect?

A woman is admitted for repair of cystocele and rectocele. She has nine living children. In taking her health history, what would the nurse expect to find?

A nurse is caring for a male client who has a new diagnosis of genital herpes (HSV 2). Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

A maternity client is in need of surgery. Which healthcare member is legally responsible for obtaining informed consent for an invasive procedure?

A nurse is reading a journal article about the care of a woman with pelvic organ prolapse. The nurse would expect to find information related to which disorder? Select all that apply.

After teaching a group of adolescent girls about female reproductive development, the nurse determines that teaching was successful when the girls state that menarche is defined as a woman's first:

A pregnant woman diagnosed with syphilis comes to the clinic for a visit. The nurse discusses the risk of transmitting the infection to her newborn, explaining that this infection is transmitted to the newborn through the: