The nurse is assisting in the development of a care plan for a patient with pernicious anemia. Which of the following would be the most common nursing diagnosis with this medical condition?
Activity intolerance related to tissue hypoxia
Ineffective airway clearance related to dyspnea.
Risk for infection related to reduction in white blood cells (WBCs)
Chronic pain related to bone marrow dysfunction
The Correct Answer is A
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.
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Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. "Aplastic anemia results from decreased bone marrow production of RBCs." Aplastic anemia is characterized by the failure of bone marrow to produce adequate red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells, and platelets. This results in pancytopenia, which increases the risk of infections, anemia, and bleeding.
B. "Aplastic anemia is directly related to impaired liver function." Aplastic anemia is not related to liver function; it originates from the bone marrow’s inability to produce sufficient blood cells.
C. "Aplastic anemia is associated with the decreased intake of iron." Aplastic anemia is not caused by iron deficiency; it is primarily due to bone marrow failure. Iron deficiency anemia, on the other hand, results from a lack of iron intake or absorption.
D. "Aplastic anemia results in an increased rate of RBC destruction." Increased RBC destruction is characteristic of hemolytic anemia, not aplastic anemia.
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.