After noting that a patient with leukemia has thrombocytopenia, which action will the nurse plan to take?
Palpate lymph nodes for swelling.
Check temperature for elevation.
Inspect skin for bruising or petechiae.
Examine oral mucosa for ulceration.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale:
Palpating lymph nodes for swelling is not directly related to thrombocytopenia. Thrombocytopenia is a condition characterized by a low platelet count, which can lead to easy bruising and bleeding. Checking lymph nodes is more relevant in assessing for infection or malignancy.
Choice B rationale:
Checking temperature for elevation is important for assessing infection, which could be a cause of thrombocytopenia. However, in this context, inspecting the skin for bruising or petechiae is more specific to thrombocytopenia. Petechiae are small, red or purple dots that appear on the skin when platelet count is low.
Choice D rationale:
Examining oral mucosa for ulceration is essential in the assessment of conditions like oral cancer or infection. While thrombocytopenia could lead to bleeding in the oral mucosa, it is not the most specific or immediate concern in a patient with known thrombocytopenia.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
A low level of hepcidin would not cause a decrease in hemoglobin levels. Hepcidin regulates iron homeostasis by inhibiting the absorption of iron from the intestines and promoting its storage in cells.
Choice B rationale:
An increase in iron-binding capacity typically occurs in conditions like iron deficiency anemia, where the body tries to increase its capacity to transport iron. This would not cause a low hemoglobin level in an otherwise healthy individual.
Choice C rationale:
Aging often leads to a decrease in the efficiency of nutrient absorption, including iron. This decrease in intestinal absorption of iron can result in low hemoglobin levels in elderly individuals. It's a common cause of anemia in the elderly population.
Choice D rationale:
Erythropoietin is a hormone produced by the kidneys that stimulates the production of red blood cells. A decrease in erythropoietin secretion from the kidneys would lead to anemia, but it is not a typical effect of aging and is usually associated with kidney disease.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Spasm of a major coronary artery, also known as variant (Prinzmetal's) angina, typically occurs at rest and is not necessarily provoked by exertion. The patient's chest pain is exacerbated by exertion, making this choice less likely.
Choice B rationale:
Exposure of the thrombogenic surface to plaque refers to acute coronary syndromes like unstable angina or myocardial infarction. While plaque rupture and thrombosis can cause myocardial ischemia, the characteristic feature of these conditions is chest pain that may not be relieved by rest, unlike the patient described here.
Choice D rationale:
Myocardial ischemia secondary to microvascular disease, also known as cardiac syndrome X, is a condition where chest pain occurs without significant coronary artery stenosis. However, this condition usually affects women, and the pain is often unrelated to exertion. In the given case, the pain is provoked by exertion, making this choice less likely.
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