A client with hemophilia is at risk for complications.
Which complication should the nurse prioritize in the client's care plan?

Choice A rationale:

Hypertension is not a common complication of hemophilia.

While bleeding disorders like hemophilia can lead to bleeding in various body systems, hypertension is not directly associated with hemophilia.

Therefore, it is not a priority in the care plan for a client with hemophilia.

Choice B rationale:

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition characterized by the formation of blood clots in deep veins, which can lead to serious complications.

While individuals with hemophilia are at an increased risk of bleeding, they are not at an increased risk of DVT.

In fact, individuals with hemophilia often have difficulty forming blood clots, making DVT less likely in this population.

Therefore, it is not a priority in the care plan for a client with hemophilia.

Choice D rationale:

Hyperlipidemia refers to high levels of lipids (fats) in the blood, such as cholesterol and triglycerides.

It is not a common complication of hemophilia, and there is no direct link between hemophilia and hyperlipidemia.

Therefore, it is not a priority in the care plan for a client with hemophilia.

Choice C rationale:

Hemarthrosis is a critical complication that should be prioritized in the care plan for a client with hemophilia.

Hemarthrosis is the bleeding into joint spaces, which can lead to severe pain, swelling, and reduced range of motion in the affected joint.

It is a common and serious complication in individuals with hemophilia because bleeding into joints can cause long-term damage and disability.

Therefore, the nurse should prioritize assessing and managing hemarthrosis in the client's care plan to prevent further complications.

Choice A rationale:

The client has a normal coagulation profile.

This choice is incorrect because the client's prolonged PTT suggests a problem with the intrinsic pathway of coagulation, which is typical in hemophilia.

A normal coagulation profile would show normal values for both PTT and PT.

Choice B rationale:

The client may have a vitamin K deficiency.

This choice is not applicable in this context.

A vitamin K deficiency primarily affects the extrinsic pathway of coagulation, leading to an elevated PT, but it does not typically affect the PTT, which is prolonged in hemophilia.

Choice C rationale:

The client likely has hemophilia.

This is the correct choice.

Hemophilia is characterized by a deficiency or dysfunction of clotting factors, most commonly factor VIII (hemophilia A) or factor IX (hemophilia B)

Prolonged PTT with normal PT is a classic laboratory finding in hemophilia.

Choice D rationale:

The client is at risk for thrombosis.

This choice is incorrect.

Hemophilia is associated with bleeding tendencies, not an increased risk of thrombosis.

Prolonged PTT indicates a reduced ability to form clots, making thrombosis less likely.