A nurse is planning care for a client diagnosed with systemic scleroderma. The nurse recognizes that an appropriate nursing diagnosis for systemic scleroderma is altered tissue perfusion secondary to which of the following?

A. Client develops petechiae on the arms, legs, and abdomen: Petechiae can indicate thrombocytopenia, which may be a complication of heparin therapy but is not an urgent concern unless severe or associated with bleeding.

B. Health care provider orders Coumadin 2.5 mg P.O. to begin today: Coumadin (warfarin) is often initiated as a bridge therapy or overlap with heparin therapy in pulmonary embolism management. This order is not necessarily inappropriate and may be part of the treatment plan.

C. Client develops slight ecchymosis at the venipuncture site: Ecchymosis at the venipuncture site can occur due to minor trauma during the insertion of IV lines or blood draws and is not necessarily indicative of a complication requiring immediate notification of the healthcare provider.

D. Client's partial thromboplastin time (PTT) is 70 seconds and the control is 25-40 seconds: A significantly elevated PTT indicates a potential overdose of heparin, putting the client at risk of bleeding complications. This finding warrants immediate notification of the healthcare provider for further evaluation and possible adjustment of heparin therapy.

A. Administration of erythropoietin (Epoetin): In chronic renal disease, the kidneys may not produce enough erythropoietin, leading to anemia. Epoetin is a synthetic form of erythropoietin that stimulates red blood cell production and is commonly used to treat anemia in these clients.

B. Transfusion of red blood cells (RBCs): While transfusion of RBCs may be necessary in severe cases of anemia or acute blood loss, it is not the first-line treatment for anemia related to chronic renal disease. Erythropoietin-stimulating agents are preferred to stimulate endogenous RBC production.

C. Weekly monitoring of complete blood count (CBC): Monitoring of CBC is important to assess the response to treatment and adjust therapy as needed but does not represent a specific treatment for anemia in chronic renal disease.

D. An order for iron replacement medication: Iron replacement may be indicated if iron deficiency is contributing to the anemia, but it is not the primary treatment for anemia in chronic renal disease. Erythropoietin-stimulating agents are typically used first to address the underlying cause of anemia.