The client with pernicious anemia asks why vitamin B12 injections are necessary. What is the best response by the nurse?
Vitamin B12 contributes to the increased production of RBCs after significant blood loss.
Vitamin B12 is needed to prevent excessive production of red blood cells.
Vitamin B12 is needed to prevent RBCs from sticking together.
Your stomach does not provide a substance necessary for the absorption of vitamin B12.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason: Vitamin B12 does not contribute to the increased production of RBCs after significant blood loss. Vitamin B12 is a type of vitamin that is essential for the normal formation and maturation of red blood cells (RBCs), which carry oxygen throughout the body. ¹ However, vitamin B12 does not increase the production of RBCs in response to blood loss. That is the role of erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates the bone marrow to produce more RBCs. ²
Choice B reason: Vitamin B12 is not needed to prevent excessive production of red blood cells. Vitamin B12 is needed for the normal production of red blood cells, not for the prevention of overproduction. Excessive production of red blood cells, also known as polycythemia, can cause the blood to become thick and viscous, increasing the risk of clotting and stroke. ³ Polycythemia can be caused by various factors, such as smoking, dehydration, or genetic mutations, but not by a lack of vitamin B12.
Choice C reason: Vitamin B12 is not needed to prevent RBCs from sticking together. Vitamin B12 is needed for the normal formation and maturation of RBCs, not for the prevention of aggregation. RBCs can stick together and form clumps, also known as rouleaux, which can impair blood flow and oxygen delivery. Rouleaux can be caused by various factors, such as inflammation, infection, or cancer, but not by a lack of vitamin B12.
Choice D reason: Vitamin B12 is needed for the normal formation and maturation of RBCs, but it cannot be absorbed by the body without a substance called intrinsic factor. Intrinsic factor is a protein that is produced by the stomach and binds to vitamin B12, allowing it to be absorbed by the small intestine. ¹ Pernicious anemia is a type of anemia that occurs when the stomach does not produce enough intrinsic factor, leading to vitamin B12 deficiency. The only way to treat pernicious anemia is by giving vitamin B12 injections, which bypass the need for intrinsic factor.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Placing the patch on the anterior chest is not the best discharge instruction for this client. Clonidine is a drug that lowers blood pressure by stimulating alpha-2 receptors in the brain. ¹ The patch delivers the drug through the skin and into the bloodstream. ² The patch should be applied to a hairless area on the upper arm or torso, not the chest, to ensure proper absorption and avoid irritation. ³
Choice B reason: Removing the patch if a headache develops is not a good discharge instruction for this client. Headache is a common side effect of clonidine, especially when starting or changing the dose. ² Removing the patch abruptly may cause a rebound increase in blood pressure, which can be dangerous. ³ The client should keep the patch on for 7 days, unless instructed otherwise by the provider, and report any severe or persistent headaches.
Choice C reason: Rotating the application sites and inspecting the skin is the best discharge instruction for this client. Rotating the sites helps prevent skin irritation and allergic reactions from the patch. ³ Inspecting the skin helps detect any signs of infection, inflammation, or rash that may require medical attention. The client should also wash the old site with soap and water after removing the patch. ²
Choice D reason: Monitoring weight on a daily basis is not a necessary discharge instruction for this client. Weight is not a sensitive indicator of the effectiveness or safety of clonidine therapy. Weight may be monitored periodically to assess the client's fluid status and possible signs of heart failure, which clonidine can help prevent. ¹ However, this is not a priority action for the client using the patch.
Correct Answer is ["A","C"]
Explanation
Choice A: Elevated troponins. This is a correct answer. Troponins are proteins that regulate the myocardial contractile process². They are released into the bloodstream when the myocardial cells are damaged by ischemia or infarction². Troponins are highly specific and sensitive indicators of myocardial injury². The normal range for troponin I is less than 0.03 ng/mL and for troponin T is less than 0.01 ng/mL².
Choice B: Decreased homocysteine levels. This is not a correct answer. Homocysteine is an amino acid that is involved in the metabolism of methionine². Elevated homocysteine levels are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, but they are not a direct marker of myocardial injury². The normal range for homocysteine is 5 to 15 micromol/L².
Choice C: Elevated CK-MB. This is a correct answer. CK-MB is one of the isoenzymes of creatine kinase, an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of creatine to phosphocreatine, which is used for energy storage in the muscles². CK-MB is found mainly in the myocardium and is released into the blood when the myocardial cells are injured². CK-MB is a specific and sensitive marker of myocardial injury, but it is less specific than troponins². The normal range for CK-MB is 0 to 3 ng/mL².
Choice D: Decreased alkaline phosphatase (ALP).This is not a correct answer. ALP is an enzyme that is found in various tissues, such as the liver, bone, intestine, and placenta². ALP is not a marker of myocardial injury, and its levels are not affected by ischemia or infarction². The normal range for ALP is 30 to 120 U/L².
Choice E: Increased platelet count.This is not a correct answer. Platelets are blood cells that are involved in hemostasis and clot formation². Increased platelet count, or thrombocytosis, can be a sign of inflammation, infection, malignancy, or other conditions². Platelet count is not a marker of myocardial injury, and it does not reflect the extent of ischemia or infarction². The normal range for platelet count is 150,000 to 450,000 per microliter of blood².
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