A nurse is caring for a patient with rheumatoid arthritis. The patient is prescribed hydroxychloroquine to slow the progression of the disease. Which of the following laboratory results should the nurse monitor for this patient?

Decreased white blood cell count

Increased blood cell count

Decreased platelet count

Increased red blood cell count

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A rationale:
Hydroxychloroquine can cause a rare but serious side effect called bone marrow suppression. This is a decrease in the production of blood cells in the bone marrow.
White blood cells (WBCs) are a key component of the immune system, and a decrease in WBCs can make a patient more susceptible to infections.
Therefore, it's crucial for nurses to monitor the patient's WBC count to detect any potential bone marrow suppression early and take necessary actions to prevent or manage infections.
Choice B rationale:
An increased blood cell count is not a typical side effect of hydroxychloroquine.
Some conditions, like polycythemia vera, can cause an increase in blood cell count, but they are not related to hydroxychloroquine use.

Choice C rationale:
While hydroxychloroquine can sometimes cause a decrease in platelet count, it's less common than bone marrow suppression affecting WBCs.
However, it's still essential for nurses to monitor platelet counts as well, as a significantly low platelet count can impair blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding.
Choice D rationale:
Hydroxychloroquine does not typically affect red blood cell (RBC) counts.
Conditions that affect RBC counts, such as anemia, are not directly related to hydroxychloroquine use.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A rationale:
Delivering meal trays to clients in their rooms is a simple task that does not require any specialized skills or knowledge. Volunteers can be safely assigned this task, as it does not involve any direct patient care or decision-making.

Choice B rationale:
Observing postoperative clients who are confused requires a higher level of skill and knowledge than delivering meal trays. Volunteers are not typically trained to assess and monitor patients for changes in their condition, and they may not be able to recognize and respond to potential emergencies. This task is best assigned to a licensed nurse or other qualified healthcare professional.

Choice C rationale:
Assisting ambulatory clients with meals is another task that can be safely assigned to volunteers. This task involves helping patients with simple activities such as opening food containers and cutting food. Volunteers can be trained to perform these tasks safely and effectively.

Choice D rationale:
Delivering mail is a simple task that does not require any specialized skills or knowledge. Volunteers can be safely assigned this task, as it does not involve any direct patient care or decision-making.

A. "Take this medication with food if nausea develops." B. "Monitor for muscle pain." C. "Expect to have increased bruising." D. "Increase your intake of grapefruit juice."

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A rationale:
While taking colchicine with food can help minimize gastrointestinal side effects like nausea, it's not the most crucial instruction for this medication. The primary concern with colchicine is its potential for muscle toxicity.

Choice B rationale:
Colchicine can cause muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, which can be a sign of a serious condition called rhabdomyolysis. Rhabdomyolysis involves the breakdown of muscle tissue, potentially leading to kidney damage and other complications.
It's crucial for patients to monitor for muscle pain and report it to their healthcare provider promptly if it occurs. Early detection and intervention can help prevent serious complications.

Choice C rationale:
Increased bruising is not a common side effect of colchicine. It's more frequently associated with medications that affect blood clotting, such as warfarin or aspirin.

Choice D rationale:
Grapefruit juice can interact with many medications, including colchicine. It can increase the concentration of colchicine in the bloodstream, potentially leading to toxicity.
It's crucial for patients taking colchicine to avoid grapefruit juice and other grapefruit products.

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A nurse is caring for a patient with rheumatoid arthritis. The patient is prescribed hydroxychloroquine to slow the progression of the disease. Which of the following laboratory results should the nurse monitor for this patient?

Nursing Test Bank

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