An adult male is experiencing increased fatigue and occasional palpitations at rest. Which laboratory data would the nurse identify as consistent with these symptoms?

Choice A reason:
Receiving a blood transfusion after 1992 does not strongly indicate the need for hepatitis C screening because screening of blood products for hepatitis C became standard practice in the early 1990s. By 2005, the risk of transmission via transfusion had been effectively eliminated. Therefore, while a past transfusion may be part of the patient's health history, it does not necessitate hepatitis C screening in this case.
Choice B reason:
Intravenous drug use, even if it occurred 20 years ago, is a significant risk factor for hepatitis C infection. The virus is commonly transmitted through the sharing of needles or other equipment used to inject drugs. Due to the long latency period of hepatitis C, individuals with a history of IV drug use are at high risk and should be screened regardless of how long ago the exposure occurred. This is the most relevant information in the patient’s history to prompt screening.
Choice C reason:
Frequent dining in fast-food restaurants does not indicate a risk for hepatitis C. Hepatitis C is primarily spread through blood-to-blood contact, not through food or drink. This choice reflects a misunderstanding of the transmission pathways of hepatitis C and is irrelevant to the patient’s screening needs.
Choice D reason:
Traveling to a country with poor sanitation is more associated with the risk of hepatitis A, a virus that is often spread through contaminated water or food. Hepatitis C, however, is not typically transmitted via poor sanitation or contaminated food and water. Screening for hepatitis C would not be warranted based solely on travel history to such countries.

Choice A reason: Assessing for unilateral swelling, redness, and tenderness is important when evaluating for conditions such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). However, this patient's symptoms of leg cramps and pain that subsides with rest are more indicative of peripheral artery disease (PAD) rather than DVT. Therefore, while this assessment is valuable in certain contexts, it is not the most relevant for this patient's symptoms.
Choice B reason: Asking about skin color changes that occur in response to cold can help identify conditions such as Raynaud's phenomenon, which causes extremities to change color in response to cold or stress. However, this patient's symptoms of intermittent leg cramps and pain with walking are more suggestive of PAD, making this question less relevant in this situation.
Choice C reason: Palpating for the presence of dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial pulses is the most appropriate focused assessment. This patient's symptoms of leg cramps and pain that resolve with rest suggest intermittent claudication, which is a hallmark of PAD. By palpating these pulses, the nurse can assess the adequacy of blood flow to the lower extremities, which is crucial in diagnosing PAD.
Choice D reason: Looking for the presence of tortuous veins bilaterally on the legs is important for identifying varicose veins, which are characterized by enlarged, twisted veins. While varicose veins can cause leg discomfort, they are not typically associated with the type of pain that subsides with rest. This patient's symptoms are more indicative of PAD, making this assessment less relevant.