A nurse is reviewing data for a client who has disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
Progressive increase in platelet production.
Excessive thrombosis and bleeding.
Immediate sodium and fluid retention.
Increased clotting factors.
The Correct Answer is B
A. Progressive increase in platelet production: In DIC, platelets are rapidly consumed, not increased, due to widespread clotting in the blood vessels.
B. Excessive thrombosis and bleeding: DIC is a complex condition where there is widespread activation of the clotting cascade, leading to excessive clotting and subsequent depletion of platelets and clotting factors, resulting in both thrombosis and bleeding.
C. Immediate sodium and fluid retention: Sodium and fluid retention are not specific findings in DIC; they may occur in cases of renal or heart failure but are unrelated to the clotting issues in DIC.
D. Increased clotting factors: In DIC, clotting factors are depleted as they are used up in widespread clotting, leading to bleeding when factors are exhausted.
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Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. WBCs: White blood cell counts may vary in multiple myeloma, but they are not typically increased; in fact, WBC counts can be low due to bone marrow crowding.
B. Calcium: Multiple myeloma often causes hypercalcemia because of increased bone breakdown, leading to the release of calcium into the bloodstream.
C. Absolute neutrophil count: The absolute neutrophil count may actually decrease as a result of bone marrow dysfunction, not increase.
D. Platelets: Platelet counts are often decreased in multiple myeloma due to bone marrow involvement, not increased.
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.