A client with leukemia who is receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy has a platelet count of 25,000/mm3 (25 x 109/L). Which intervention is most important for the nurse to include in this client's plan of care?
Reference Range:
Platelet Count [150,000 to 400,000/mm3 (156 400 x 109/L)]
Assess urine and stool for occult blood.
Obtain client's temperature every 4 hours.
Monitor for signs of activity intolerance
Require visitors to wear respiratory masks.
The Correct Answer is A
A) Correct- With a significantly low platelet count, the risk of bleeding is elevated. Assessing urine and stool for occult (hidden) blood is important to detect any signs of internal bleeding that may not be immediately apparent. A low platelet count increases the risk of spontaneous bleeding, which can be life-threatening if undetected.
B) Incorrect- This choice is related to neutropenia, not thrombocytopenia. Neutropenia, or low neutrophil count, increases the risk of infection, which is why monitoring temperature frequently is important.
C) Incorrect- Monitoring for signs of activity intolerance is not directly related to the low platelet count. The primary concern with thrombocytopenia is the risk of bleeding, not generalized activity intolerance.
D) Incorrect- Requiring visitors to wear respiratory masks is not relevant to the client's current condition of low platelet count. This action is related to infection control and protection from respiratory infections.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Imbalanced Nutrition: less than body requirements would be the nursing problem with the highest priority for an adolescent with anorexia nervosa. Anorexia nervosa is characterized by a severe restriction of food intake leading to a significantly low body weight, which can have serious physical and psychological consequences. Therefore, addressing the client's malnutrition and promoting adequate nutrition intake is crucial to prevent further complications. Disturbed Body Image, Interrupted Family Processes, and Noncompliance with treatment regimen are important nursing problems to address, but they are secondary to the client's malnutrition.
Correct Answer is ["D","E"]
Explanation
A) Incorrect - Phototherapy, often used to treat conditions like seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or certain skin conditions, involves exposure to specific wavelengths of light. It is not typically used as a treatment for distressing thoughts and memories related to trauma, as described in the client's situation.
B) Incorrect - Lithium is primarily used to treat bipolar disorder and is not a first-line treatment for trauma-related symptoms or acute stress disorder. The client's symptoms are more indicative of trauma-related distress, which would be addressed through psychotherapeutic approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
C) Incorrect - "Consciousness-raising" is not a recognized treatment intervention in this context.
It's important to focus on evidence-based therapeutic approaches for trauma-related symptoms, such as psychotherapy and support services.
D) Correct - Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is Given the client's distressing thoughts and memories, CBT is a highly effective psychotherapy approach. It focuses on identifying and modifying negative thought patterns and behaviors associated with trauma. CBT can help the client develop healthier coping strategies.
E) Correct - Animal-assisted therapy involves interacting with trained animals to improve emotional well-being. Since the client expresses feeling unhappy and having difficulty coping, animal therapy can provide comfort, reduce stress, and promote a sense of companionship.
F) Incorrect - Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a treatment primarily used for severe cases of depression or certain psychiatric conditions that are unresponsive to other treatments. It involves inducing controlled seizures to affect brain chemistry. ECT is not a first-line treatment for the client's distressing thoughts and memories following a traumatic event.

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