A nurse is collecting data from a client who has leukemia. Which of the following findings has the highest priority?
Hematocrit 35% (F 37% -47%; M 42%-52%)
Bone pain
Weight loss
Platelet count 125.000/mm3 (150,000-400,000)
The Correct Answer is D
A. Hematocrit 35% (F 37%–47%; M 42%–52%): Although the hematocrit is slightly low, it is not as concerning as a low platelet count, which poses an immediate risk for bleeding.
B. Bone pain: Bone pain is common in leukemia due to bone marrow expansion, but it does not take priority over the risk of bleeding from thrombocytopenia.
C. Weight loss: Weight loss may be a symptom of leukemia, but it is not immediately life-threatening and does not take priority over a low platelet count that increases bleeding risk.
D. Platelet count 125,000/mm³ (150,000–400,000): A low platelet count is concerning in leukemia patients because it increases the risk of bleeding. Monitoring for and preventing bleeding is a high priority due to thrombocytopenia associated with leukemia.
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Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Activity intolerance related to tissue hypoxia: Pernicious anemia leads to a decrease in the body’s ability to carry oxygen due to a lack of intrinsic factor and subsequent vitamin B12 deficiency, resulting in tissue hypoxia. This can cause fatigue and activity intolerance as the body struggles to meet its oxygen demands.
B. Ineffective airway clearance related to dyspnea: Dyspnea may occur, but ineffective airway clearance is not directly related to pernicious anemia, as this condition primarily affects oxygen transport, not the airway.
C. Risk for infection related to reduction in white blood cells (WBCs): Pernicious anemia primarily affects red blood cells due to vitamin B12 deficiency; it does not typically lead to a reduction in white blood cells.
D. Chronic pain related to bone marrow dysfunction: While bone marrow may be affected in some anemias, chronic pain is not a typical symptom of pernicious anemia, and bone marrow dysfunction is not usually present.
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.