The nurse is caring for an older adult who is confused and restless. The nurse reviews the patient's history and recent complete blood count (CBC). Which finding may best explain the patient's confusion and restlessness?

Decreased hematocrit and hemoglobin.

Increased erythrocyte count

Normochromic red blood cells

Decreased thrombocytes.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A reason: Decreased hematocrit and hemoglobin indicate anemia, which is a condition where the blood does not carry enough oxygen to the tissues. This can cause symptoms such as confusion, restlessness, fatigue, and weakness in older adults.

Choice B reason: Increased erythrocyte count, or polycythemia, is a condition where the blood has too many red blood cells. This can cause the blood to become thick and viscous, which can impair blood flow and oxygen delivery. However, this is not the best explanation for the patient's confusion and restlessness, as polycythemia usually causes symptoms such as headache, dizziness, itching, and flushing.

Choice C reason: Normochromic red blood cells are red blood cells that have a normal color and hemoglobin content. This is not a finding that would explain the patient's confusion and restlessness, as it indicates a normal red blood cell function.

Choice D reason: Decreased thrombocytes, or platelets, are blood cells that help with clotting. This is a finding that would increase the risk of bleeding, but not the risk of confusion and restlessness. Decreased thrombocytes can cause symptoms such as bruising, bleeding gums, nosebleeds, and petechiae.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason: This is incorrect. Polyphasia and nystagmus are not signs of neurological deterioration, but rather of speech and eye disorders. Polyphasia is the excessive use of words or speech, and nystagmus is the involuntary movement of the eyes.

Choice B reason: This is incorrect. Increased respiratory rate and depth are not signs of neurological deterioration, but rather of respiratory distress or hyperventilation. They may indicate a problem with the lungs or the blood gases, not the brain.

Choice C reason: This is correct. Decreased level of consciousness and difficulty arousing upon stimulation are signs of neurological deterioration, as they indicate a decrease in the brain's ability to function and respond to stimuli. They may be caused by increased intracranial pressure, bleeding, swelling, or infection in the brain.

Choice D reason: This is incorrect. Decreased pulse pressure and pupils slowly reactive and round to light are not signs of neurological deterioration, but rather of cardiovascular or autonomic dysfunction. They may indicate a problem with the heart or the blood pressure, not the brain.

A. macrocytic, normochromic B. microcytic, hypochromic C. normocytic, normochromic D. microcytic, normochromic

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: This is correct. Folic acid deficiency causes macrocytic, normochromic anemia, which means that the red blood cells are larger than normal, but have normal color and hemoglobin content. Folic acid is a vitamin that is needed for the synthesis of DNA and the maturation of red blood cells.

Choice B reason: This is incorrect. Microcytic, hypochromic anemia means that the red blood cells are smaller than normal and have less color and hemoglobin content. This type of anemia is caused by iron deficiency, not folic acid deficiency.

Choice C reason: This is incorrect. Normocytic, normochromic anemia means that the red blood cells are normal in size, color, and hemoglobin content, but there are fewer of them. This type of anemia is caused by blood loss, hemolysis, or bone marrow failure, not folic acid deficiency.

Choice D reason: This is incorrect. Microcytic, normochromic anemia means that the red blood cells are smaller than normal, but have normal color and hemoglobin content. This type of anemia is rare and is caused by disorders of red blood cell production, such as thalassemia or sideroblastic anemia, not folic acid deficiency.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

The nurse is caring for an older adult who is confused and restless. The nurse reviews the patient's history and recent complete blood count (CBC). Which finding may best explain the patient's confusion and restlessness?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

An older adult is admitted to the hospital following a closed head injury from a fall that resulted in a 5-minute period of unconsciousness. Which priority nursing assessment indicates neurological deterioration in the patient?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A patient has a folic acid deficiency associated with not consuming food with folic acid. The nurse would expect a complete blood cell count (CBC) to reveal?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The nurse should complete which essential interventions for a patient who has experienced status epilepticus?

The nurse is teaching the family about amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and progression of the disease. The nurse would include which common late manifestations?

The emergency room nurse notes clear drainage dripping from the nose of a newly admitted patient with a head injury after diving into shallow water. Which initial intervention should the nurse perform?

A patient with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) asks the nurse why their bones are making more white blood cells when they already have so many. The nurse clarifies that the large number of leukemic white cells they have:

The nurse completes a Romberg's test on a patient with neurologic changes. The nurse will notify the provider if they observe which response?

The nurse is caring for a patient with anemia. Their medical history includes diabetes mellitus Type 1, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and peripheral vascular disease. Which condition most likely contributes to their anemia?

The nurse assesses a client with a history of migraine headaches. Which clinical manifestation would the nurse identify as an early sign of a migraine with an aura?

A patient with a severe head injury assumes a posture of flexed arms at the elbows and extended lower legs. The nurse recognizes this posturing as