ADULT HEALTH MEDICAL SURGICAL UPDATED EXAM NOTES AND STUDY GUIDE- FULLY FUNCTIONAL

ADULT HEALTH MEDICAL SURGICAL UPDATED EXAM NOTES AND STUDY GUIDE- FULLY FUNCTIONAL Strong indication of a hematologic disorder = Absence of hair on the legs • Rationale: Thinning or absence of hair on the extremities indicates poor arterial circulation to that area Brachytherapy Treatment • Procedure that involves placing radioactive material inside of the body • Indication o Commonly used to treat prostate cancer o Cervical cancer o Uterine (endometrial) cancer o Brest cancer, lung cancer, eye cancer, and skin cancer • Nursing Consideration o Nurse needs to educate the client on the importance of remaining on bed rest with limited movement while the radioactive implant is in place to prevent dislodgment o Nurse should wear a lead apron when providing direct care to provide protection from radiation source and not turn their back toward the client o Limit each of the client’s visitors to 30 minutes per day o Instruct visitors to remain at least 6 feet from client receiving radiation at all times Indication of Pancreatitis • Increased serum lipase level o Rationale: due to the release of lipase into the pancreas and autodigestion • Increased WBC count (because of the inflammatory process) • Decreased albumin level (due to the inflammatory process) • Increase in blood glucose levels (due to a drop-in insulin production) Polycythemia Vera • type of blood cancer that causes bone marrow to make too many red blood cells. • Nursing Interventions o Patient should elevate their legs when sitting ▪ Rationale: to avoid venous pooling with subsequent clot formation o Patient should drink at least 3 Liters of fluid per day to help lower bloo