A nurse is caring for an adolescent who is having a sickle cell crisis. Which of the following nursing actions should the nurse take?
Initiate a 2 L/day fluid restriction.
Assist with administering a blood transfusion.
Withhold opioids to avoid dependence.
Encourage exercise.
The Correct Answer is B
A. Initiate a 2 L/day fluid restriction: Hydration is crucial in sickle cell crisis to prevent further sickling and reduce blood viscosity. A fluid restriction would worsen the crisis.
B. Assist with administering a blood transfusion: Blood transfusions are commonly given during sickle cell crisis to manage anemia and reduce the concentration of sickled cells, which can improve oxygen delivery and relieve pain.
C. Withhold opioids to avoid dependence: Pain management, including opioids if needed, is essential during a sickle cell crisis. The risk of dependence is secondary to controlling acute pain.
D. Encourage exercise: Rest is recommended during a crisis to reduce oxygen demand and prevent further sickling. Exercise would increase oxygen needs, worsening the crisis.
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Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Contact the surgeon to obtain orders for a nebulizer treatment from respiratory therapy. A nebulizer is typically not the initial intervention for mild post-operative pain or mild respiratory discomfort due to pain with inspiration.
B. Provide the patient with a heating pad alternated with a cold pack for incisional pain. While heat or cold therapy can help with pain, opioid pain management with encouragement to perform deep breathing exercises is more effective for post-splenectomy patients.
C. Medicate with opioids for pain and assist the patient to deep breathe, cough, and ambulate. Pain management combined with encouraging deep breathing, coughing, and early ambulation helps prevent post-operative complications like atelectasis and pneumonia, which are common after abdominal surgeries.
D. Contact the surgeon to request a chest x-ray and a laboratory draw for CBC with differential. This intervention might be necessary if there were signs of infection or other complications, but mild pain with inspiration on the first day post-op does not typically warrant imaging or labs.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Results indicate the presence of Reed Sternberg cells: Reed-Sternberg cells are a defining characteristic of Hodgkin disease, a type of lymphoma. Their presence in biopsy samples confirms the diagnosis, distinguishing Hodgkin disease from other types of lymphomas and leukemias.
B. The patient is cyanotic: Cyanosis, or bluish skin discoloration due to low oxygen levels, is not a common sign of Hodgkin disease. It may occur in advanced disease due to respiratory compromise but is not a defining characteristic.
C. The patient is complaining of excessive thirst and hunger: Excessive thirst and hunger are more characteristic of diabetes mellitus, not Hodgkin disease. These symptoms are unrelated to the lymphatic involvement seen in Hodgkin disease.
D. Results indicate the presence of the Philadelphia chromosome: The Philadelphia chromosome is a genetic abnormality associated with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), not Hodgkin disease. Its presence suggests a different hematologic malignancy.