The nurse is caring for a patient with thrombocytopenia who has a platelet count of 45,000/mm³. What nursing intervention will the nurse implement to manage this condition?
Administer platelet transfusion immediately.
Monitor the patient for signs of bleeding and educate about bleeding precautions.
Administer aspirin to reduce the risk of clot formation.
Encourage the patient to engage in regular physical exercise to improve circulation.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: Administering a platelet transfusion immediately is not indicated for a platelet count of 45,000/mm³. While this is below the normal range, it is not critically low. Platelet transfusions are typically reserved for patients with life-threatening bleeding or extremely low platelet counts.
Choice B reason: Monitoring the patient for signs of bleeding and educating about bleeding precautions is the appropriate intervention. Patients with thrombocytopenia are at an increased risk of bleeding, and it is essential to educate them on how to minimize this risk, such as avoiding activities that can cause injury, using a soft toothbrush, and avoiding over-the-counter medications that can affect platelet function.
Choice C reason: Administering aspirin to reduce the risk of clot formation is incorrect. Aspirin is an antiplatelet agent that can increase the risk of bleeding in patients with thrombocytopenia. It should be avoided unless specifically prescribed for another condition with close monitoring.
Choice D reason: Encouraging the patient to engage in regular physical exercise to improve circulation is not appropriate in this context. While physical activity is generally beneficial, it should be done with caution in patients with thrombocytopenia to avoid injury and bleeding. The focus should be on safety and bleeding precautions.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason:
- Normal blood pressure may indicate improved hydration, but deep respirations (often seen in metabolic acidosis or DKA) suggest that the patient is still experiencing distress. This combination does not reliably signal effective treatment for HHS.
Choice B reason:
- Increased alertness shows that the patient’s mental status is improving, reflecting better cerebral perfusion and hydration.
- A normal heart rhythm indicates that potassium levels are stable (thanks to the potassium chloride in the IV fluids) and that the insulin therapy is not causing dangerous shifts.
- Together, these findings are the best indicators that the treatment is effective.
Choice C reason:
- A high urine specific gravity reveals that the urine is still concentrated, which means dehydration persists.
- Although the temperature is normal, the continued dehydration is not consistent with effective treatment of HHS.
Choice D reason:
- A blood glucose of 250 mg/dL suggests that hyperglycemia is being corrected; however, persistent disorientation indicates that the patient’s mental status has not improved, meaning that the treatment has not fully resolved the critical aspects of HHS.
Thus, Choice B (Increased alertness, normal heart rhythm) is the best indicator of effective treatment.
Correct Answer is ["A","C","E"]
Explanation
Choice A reason: Ulcers in the descending colon are indicative of Crohn's disease, which affects any part of the gastrointestinal tract.
Choice B reason: Absence of narrowing of the colon and mucosal edema is more indicative of ulcerative colitis rather than Crohn's disease.
Choice C reason: Fistulas and perianal involvement are common complications of Crohn's disease due to the transmural inflammation.
Choice D reason: Mild bleeding and an abdominal mass can be associated with both Crohn's disease and other gastrointestinal disorders, making it less specific.
Choice E reason: Regional, discontinuous skip lesions are a hallmark of Crohn's disease, seen on barium studies, indicating areas of inflammation separated by normal tissue.
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