A nurse is reinforcing teaching about pernicious anemia with a client following a total gastrectomy. Which of the following dietary supplements should the nurse include in the teaching as the treatment for pernicious anemia?
Folate
Vitamin C
Vitamin B12
Iron
The Correct Answer is C
A. Folate: Folate is important for red blood cell production but does not address the Vitamin B12 deficiency seen in pernicious anemia.
B. Vitamin C: Vitamin C does not impact pernicious anemia as it is not involved in Vitamin B12 absorption.
C. Vitamin B12: Pernicious anemia occurs due to a lack of intrinsic factor, which is necessary for Vitamin B12 absorption. After a total gastrectomy, intrinsic factor is no longer produced, requiring Vitamin B12 supplementation.
D. Iron: Iron deficiency anemia is different from pernicious anemia, which specifically requires Vitamin B12 supplementation.
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Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. The spleen is the primary site for platelet destruction. In ITP, the spleen often sequesters and destroys platelets, leading to low platelet levels. Removing the spleen reduces platelet destruction and can help increase platelet counts in affected patients.
B. The spleen is at risk for infection due to the critical loss of WBCs. While infection risk increases after splenectomy, this is not the rationale for the procedure. The spleen does play a role in immune function, but splenectomy is indicated for reducing platelet destruction, not infection prevention.
C. Your spleen is making too many platelets. The spleen does not produce platelets; rather, it filters and sometimes destroys them, particularly in ITP. This choice does not accurately reflect the pathophysiology of ITP.
D. The spleen causes an overabundance of immature platelets. The spleen does not cause an increase in immature platelets. In ITP, platelets are destroyed, not overproduced.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
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.