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The nursing student asks the clinical instructor to explain why clinical symptoms are
more important than laboratory values when the patient has experienced blood loss.
The instructor correctly recognizes that
A. nurses should focus on clinical symptoms because those are the parameters of
nursing practice.
B. blood values are often normal or even high because fluid shifts have not occurred
and laboratory values are falsely high.
C. laboratory values are used to supplement nursing assessments.
D. laboratory findings are often falsely low in the early period of blood loss. - ANSWER
B. blood values are often normal or even high because fluid shifts have not occurred
and laboratory values are falsely high.
It is essential to understand that the clinical signs and symptoms the patient is
experiencing are more important than the laboratory values. For example, an adult with
a bleeding peptic ulcer who had a 750-mL hematemesis (15% of a normal total blood
volume) within the past 30 minutes may have postural hypotension but have normal
hemoglobin and hematocrit values. Over the ensuing 36 to 48 hours, most of the blood
volume deficit will be replaced by the movement of fluid from the extravascular into the
intravascular space. Only at these later times will the hemoglobin and hematocrit values
reflect the blood loss.
The nursing management of a patient in sickle cell crisis includes (select all that apply)
A. monitoring of the complete blood cell (CBC) count.
B. blood transfusions if required and iron chelation.
C. optimal pain management and oxygen therapy.
D. rest as needed and deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis. - ANSWER All answers are
correct.
The CBC count is monitored. Infections are common with an elevated white blood cell
(WBC) count, and anemia may occur with low hemoglobin and red blood cell (RBC)
levels. Oxygen may be administered to treat hypoxia and control sickling. Rest may be
instituted to reduce metabolic requirements and DVT protocols may be prescribed.
Transfusion therapy is indicated when an aplastic crisis occurs. Patients may require
iron chelation therapy to reduce transfusion-produced iron overload. Pain occurring
during an acute crisis usually is undertreated. Patients should have optimal pain control
with opioid analgesics, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents, antineuropathic pain
medications, local anesthetics, or nerve blocks.
Which patient is most likely to experience anemia caused by increased destruction of
RBCs?
A. An African American man who has a diagnosis of sickle cell disease
, B. A 59-year-old man whose alcoholism has precipitated folic acid deficiency
C. A 30-year-old woman with a history of "heavy periods" accompanied by anemia D. A
3-year-old child whose impaired growth and development is attributable to
thalassemia - ANSWER A. An African American man who has a diagnosis of sickle
cell disease
The cause of sickle cell anemia involves increased hemolysis. Thalassemias and folic
acid deficiencies decrease erythropoiesis, whereas the anemia related to menstruation
is a direct result of blood loss.
Which points should be included in teaching the patient with sickle cell disease (select
all that apply)?
A. Avoid dehydration.
B. Avoid high altitudes.
C. Take cobalamin (vitamin B12) regularly.
D. Consume dairy products frequently.
E. Increase consumption of grapefruit juice. - ANSWER A. Avoid dehydration.
B. Avoid high altitudes.
Avoiding dehydration and high altitudes helps to prevent crises.
In addition to altered red blood cells (RBCs), which laboratory finding does the nurse
expect for the patient with sickle cell disease?
A. Leukocytosis
B. Hypouricemia
C. Hyperbilirubinemia
D. Hypercholesteremia - ANSWER C. Hyperbilirubinemia
As a result of accelerated RBC breakdown, the patient may have characteristic clinical
findings of hemolysis, including jaundice and elevated serum bilirubin levels.
Which sign or symptom would you recognize as a unique characteristic specific to
hemolytic anemia?
A. Tachycardia
B. Weakness
C. Decreased RBCs
D. Jaundice - ANSWER D. Jaundice
Jaundice is likely because the increased destruction of RBCs causes an elevation in
bilirubin levels. The spleen and liver may enlarge because of their hyperactivity, which is
related to macrophage phagocytosis of the defective erythrocytes. The other symptoms
are common to all types of anemia.
Which organ is at greatest risk due to the effects of hemolytic anemia?
A. Heart
B. Spleen
C. Kidney
D. Liver - ANSWER C. Kidney