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Which finding about a patient with polycythemia vera is most important for the nurse to report to the health care provider?

A.

Presence of plethora (excess body fluid)

B.

Calf swelling and pain

C.

Platelet count 450,000/microL

D.

Hematocrit 55%

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

A.    Presence of plethora is a common symptom of polycythemia vera and indicates increased blood volume but is not immediately life-threatening.
B.    Calf swelling and pain could indicate a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is a serious complication that requires immediate medical attention.
C.    A platelet count of 450,000/microL is elevated but not as critical as the possibility of a DVT.
D.    Hematocrit of 55% is high, which is expected in polycythemia vera, but it is not as immediately critical as the risk of thrombosis suggested by calf swelling and pain.
 


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Related Questions

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. Elevated blood pressure above 140/90. While hypertension can occur in middle age, it is not specifically associated with perimenopause.
B. Report of dryness with vaginal intercourse. Vaginal dryness is a common symptom of perimenopause due to decreasing estrogen levels.
C. Report of urinary retention. Urinary symptoms in perimenopause more commonly include frequency and urgency, rather than retention.
D. Elevated body temperature above 37.8° C (100° F). While hot flashes are common during perimenopause, they do not typically cause a sustained elevated body temperature.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. "My doctor will perform pelvic exams to detect for ovarian cancer.": Pelvic exams can help detect ovarian cancer or abnormalities in the pelvic region, although they are not always definitive.
B. "I will develop ovarian cancer If I have the BRCA1 gene.": While having the BRCA1 gene mutation increases the risk of ovarian cancer, not everyone with this gene mutation will develop the disease.
C. "I will have regular Pap tests to monitor for ovarian cancer.": Pap tests are used to screen for cervical cancer, not ovarian cancer.
D. "A decreased CA125 level places me at greater risk for ovarian cancer.": An elevated CA125 level is associated with ovarian cancer, not a decreased level.

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