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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?

A.

Decreased white blood cell count

B.

Increased blood cell count

C.

Decreased platelet count

D.

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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Related Questions

Correct Answer is ["1370"]

Explanation

To calculate the total output for the client, we need to add up all the individual outputs:

  • The client voided 400 mL at 1100.
  • The client voided 350 mL at 1430.
  • The closed chest drainage system increased from 155 mL to 175 mL, which is an increase of 20 mL.
  • The NG tube has 575 mL in the drainage container.
  • The Jackson-Pratt drainage tube has 25 mL.

Adding all these amounts together, the total output that the nurse should record in the medical record is 1370 mL.

Here’s the calculation:

400 mL + 350 mL + (175 mL - 155 mL) + 575 mL + 25 mL = 1370 mL400mL+350mL+(175mL−155mL)+575mL+25mL=1370mL

So, the nurse should record a total output of 1370 mL in the medical record for the client.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A rationale:
Pitting edema of the hands and fingers is not a typical finding in SLE. It can occur in some cases, but it is more commonly associated with other conditions such as kidney disease or heart failure.

Choice B rationale:
Grey colored, non-purpuric papular rash is not a characteristic of SLE. This type of rash is more commonly seen in conditions such as lichen planus or sarcoidosis.

Choice C rationale:
A dry, red rash across the bridge of the nose and on the cheeks, also known as a malar rash, is a classic sign of SLE. It is often described as a "butterfly rash" because of its shape. The rash is caused by inflammation of the small blood vessels in the skin. It is typically worsened by sun exposure.

Choice D rationale:
Subcutaneous nodules on the ulnar side of the arm are a characteristic finding in rheumatoid arthritis, not SLE.

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