Which client’s laboratory value requires immediate intervention by a nurse?
Reference Range: Hemoglobin (Hgb) [14 to 18 g/dL (8.7 to 11.2 mmol/L)]; Fasting Blood Glucose [70 to 110 mg/dL (3.9 to 6.1 mmol/L)]; Neutrophils (ANC) [55 to 70%: 2,500 to 8,000/mm3 (2.5 to 5.8 x109/L)]
A client with pancreatitis who has a fasting glucose of 190 mg/dL (10.55 mmol/L) today and had 160 mg/dL (8.88 mmol/L) yesterday.
A client with a gastrointestinal (GI) bleed who is receiving a blood transfusion and has a hemoglobin of 7.0 g/dL (4.34 mmol/L).
A client with cancer who has an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of less than 500/mm3 today and had 2,000/mm3 yesterday.
A client with hepatitis who is jaundiced and has a bilirubin level that is 4 times the normal value.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason: Elevated glucose (190 mg/dL) in pancreatitis needs monitoring but is less urgent than severe neutropenia (ANC <500/mm3), which risks life-threatening infections. Glucose can be managed with insulin, per diabetes and pancreatitis care protocols, but neutropenia requires immediate intervention.
Choice B reason: Hemoglobin of 7.0 g/dL in a GI bleed is critical but less immediate, as the client is receiving a transfusion. Neutropenia (ANC <500/mm3) poses an urgent infection risk, requiring isolation. Transfusion addresses anemia, per bleeding and hematology care standards.
Choice C reason: An ANC <500/mm3 indicates severe neutropenia, posing an immediate infection risk in cancer patients, requiring urgent isolation and antibiotics. This rapid drop from 2,000/mm3 demands priority intervention to prevent sepsis, per oncology and infection control protocols in nursing practice.
Choice D reason: Elevated bilirubin in hepatitis is concerning but less urgent than neutropenia (ANC <500/mm3), which risks sepsis. Jaundice requires monitoring and treatment, but severe infection risk takes precedence, per liver disease and critical care prioritization standards in nursing practice.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Assessing blood return checks patency, but pain suggests infiltration or phlebitis, where saline leaks into tissues. Stopping the infusion prevents further tissue damage, as extravasation causes swelling or necrosis, especially in dehydrated elderly clients, making assessment secondary to halting infusion.
Choice B reason: Stopping the saline infusion is the priority, as pain at the IV site suggests infiltration or phlebitis, with fluid irritating tissues or veins. Halting infusion prevents damage, allowing safe assessment and management, critical in fragile elderly veins, ensuring no further harm during rehydration.
Choice C reason: Establishing new IV access is necessary post-infiltration but not first. Pain indicates ongoing tissue irritation from saline leakage, requiring immediate infusion cessation to prevent damage. Stopping the infusion ensures safety before reattempting access, critical in dehydrated patients needing fluid replacement.
Choice D reason: Selecting a different gauge needle is irrelevant, as the 24-gauge catheter is placed, and pain indicates infiltration, not size. Stopping the infusion prevents extravasation, which risks compartment syndrome in elderly clients, making this less immediate than halting the infusion for safety.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Ensuring oxygen and medications manages exacerbations in asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema, where airway inflammation obstructs breathing. These treat symptoms, not prevent infections. Vaccines reduce influenza and pneumococcus, major exacerbation triggers, providing specific immunity to prevent severe respiratory infections, making them a higher priority.
Choice B reason: Using tissues and handwashing reduces infection spread but is less effective than vaccines for preventing exacerbations in chronic lung diseases. Influenza and pneumococcus trigger severe bronchoconstriction or inflammation. Vaccines offer targeted protection against these pathogens, prioritizing prevention over general hygiene in high-risk clients.
Choice C reason: Avoiding crowded areas in colder months reduces viral exposure, which can exacerbate asthma or COPD via inflammation. Vaccines are more effective, providing specific immunity against influenza and pneumococcus, the most common triggers of severe exacerbations, making this less critical than vaccination for preventing respiratory complications.
Choice D reason: Annual flu and PPSV23 vaccines are critical for asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema, as these conditions increase severe infection risk. Influenza and pneumococcus trigger exacerbations via airway inflammation, risking hospitalization. Vaccines stimulate antibody production, reducing infection severity, making them the top preventive measure for chronic lung disease management.
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