A nurse is caring for a client who has human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Which of the following laboratory values would be most concerning to the nurse?
Positive Western blot test
CD4-T-cell count 505 cells/mm³ (nl. 500-1500 cells/mm³)
Platelets 115,000/mm³ (nl. 140,000-400,000/mm³)
White blood cell (WBC) count 800/mm³ (nl. 5000-10,000/mm³)
The Correct Answer is D
A. A positive Western blot test confirms the diagnosis of HIV, but it is not concerning once the diagnosis has been established.
B. A CD4-T-cell count of 505 cells/mm³ is low but not critically low. While it does indicate immunosuppression, it is not the most concerning value presented.
C. A platelet count of 115,000/mm³ is lower than normal and may indicate a risk for bleeding, but it is not as concerning as a critically low white blood cell count.
D. A WBC count of 800/mm³ is severely low and indicates a high risk for infection, which is particularly concerning in a client with HIV, as it suggests significant immunosuppression and vulnerability to opportunistic infections.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Assessing current anticoagulant use is a priority because t-PA (tissue plasminogen activator) can increase the risk of bleeding, especially if the client has been on anticoagulant medications. It is crucial to determine if there are any contraindications or increased risks for bleeding.
B. While blood pressure control is important, it is secondary to understanding the client's anticoagulant use as it directly affects the safety of t-PA administration.
C. A complete neurologic assessment is important but comes after ensuring there are no contraindications such as recent anticoagulant use that could affect the safety of t-PA.
D. Current treatment for peptic ulcer disease may be relevant for bleeding risks but is not as immediately critical as reviewing anticoagulant use for t-PA safety.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. The time of the burn helps in understanding how long the client has been exposed and may influence the assessment of burn progression, but it does not directly determine the severity.
B. The depth of the burn is the primary factor in assessing burn severity. It determines the level of tissue damage and guides treatment decisions. Depth classifications include superficial, partial-thickness, and full-thickness burns.
C. The cause of the burn is important for treatment considerations and understanding the mechanism of injury but does not impact the assessment of burn severity.
D. The location of the burn affects the potential for complications and functional impairment but is secondary to the depth in determining overall burn severity.
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