Which laboratory report finding would support the nurse's conclusion that a patient has thalassemia major? Select all that apply.
One, some, or all responses may be correct.
Increased bilirubin levels.
Increased reticulocyte level.
Increased mean corpuscular volume.
Increased total iron-binding capacity.
Correct Answer : A,B,D
Choice A rationale:
Increased bilirubin levels can occur in thalassemia major due to the destruction of red blood cells, leading to elevated bilirubin, which is a breakdown product of hemoglobin. This elevation can contribute to jaundice and other symptoms.
Choice B rationale:
Thalassemia major leads to the destruction of red blood cells, causing the bone marrow to release more reticulocytes (immature red blood cells) into the bloodstream. Therefore, an increased reticulocyte level is expected in thalassemia major.
Choice C rationale:
Increased mean corpuscular volume (MCV) is not a typical finding in thalassemia major. Thalassemia major is characterized by microcytic (smaller than normal) red blood cells, leading to a decreased MCV.
Choice D rationale:
Thalassemia major causes increased iron absorption by the intestines, leading to elevated total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) TIBC measures the body's capacity to bind and transport iron in the blood, and elevated levels are seen in conditions with increased iron demand, such as thalassemia major.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Palpating lymph nodes for swelling is not directly related to thrombocytopenia. Thrombocytopenia is a condition characterized by a low platelet count, which can lead to easy bruising and bleeding. Checking lymph nodes is more relevant in assessing for infection or malignancy.
Choice B rationale:
Checking temperature for elevation is important for assessing infection, which could be a cause of thrombocytopenia. However, in this context, inspecting the skin for bruising or petechiae is more specific to thrombocytopenia. Petechiae are small, red or purple dots that appear on the skin when platelet count is low.
Choice D rationale:
Examining oral mucosa for ulceration is essential in the assessment of conditions like oral cancer or infection. While thrombocytopenia could lead to bleeding in the oral mucosa, it is not the most specific or immediate concern in a patient with known thrombocytopenia.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Hypertensive crisis is characterized by severely elevated blood pressure, usually above 180/120 mm Hg. The given differences in blood pressure (a decrease of 20 mm Hg in systolic BP) do not indicate hypertensive crisis.
Choice B rationale:
An auscultatory gap refers to a temporary disappearance of sounds normally heard over the brachial artery during blood pressure measurement. This phenomenon can lead to inaccurate readings and might cause a delay in recognizing the true blood pressure values. In this case, the decrease in systolic BP when changing positions indicates the presence of an auscultatory gap, requiring the nurse to be vigilant during blood pressure measurements.
Choice C rationale:
Resistant hypertension is a term used when blood pressure remains above goal despite concurrent use of three antihypertensive agents of different classes. The given scenario does not indicate resistant hypertension but rather suggests a technical issue during blood pressure measurement due to the auscultatory gap.
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