The nurse provides education regarding daily activities to a patient with thrombocytopenia.
Which activity identified by the patient indicates understanding of the teaching?

Choice A rationale:

Restricting all visitors might be beneficial in preventing infections, but it is not the most important strategy for a patient with neutropenia. The main concern is the risk of infections due to the compromised immune system.

Choice B rationale:

Placing the patient in a private room is crucial for a neutropenic patient. Neutropenia, characterized by a low absolute neutrophil count (ANC), significantly compromises the patient's immune system, making them highly susceptible to infections. Isolating the patient helps minimize the risk of exposure to pathogens, reducing the likelihood of infections.

Choice C rationale:

Using an electric shaver instead of a razor is advisable to prevent cuts and minimize the risk of skin infections. While this is a good practice, it is not the most important strategy compared to isolating the patient and using personal protective equipment (PPE) during direct patient care.

Choice D rationale:

Wearing a gown and gloves when in direct contact with the patient is essential to prevent the spread of infections. This is a necessary measure, but isolating the patient in a private room takes precedence as it minimizes the risk of exposure to pathogens, providing a safer environment for the neutropenic patient.

Choice A rationale:

Enteric-coated iron is designed to be absorbed in the small intestine, not the stomach. Taking it with each meal might decrease its absorption due to interaction with food.

Choice B rationale:

Cobalamin (vitamin B12) deficiency can cause macrocytic anemia, not microcytic hypochromic anemia. Taking cobalamin with green, leafy vegetables does not address the specific iron deficiency seen in microcytic hypochromic anemia.

Choice C rationale:

Take the iron with orange juice 1 hour before meals is the correct answer. Vitamin C enhances the absorption of non-heme iron (the type of iron found in plant-based foods and iron supplements) by reducing it to a more absorbable form. Taking iron supplements with orange juice, which is high in vitamin C, can significantly improve iron absorption. Taking it before meals ensures better absorption due to reduced interaction with other dietary components.

Choice D rationale:

Decreasing the intake of antiseizure medications will not improve microcytic hypochromic anemia. Antiseizure medications do not directly influence iron absorption or the production of red blood cells.