A nurse in reviewing the laboratory data on a client who has a new prescription for heparin for treatment of a pulmonary embolism. Which of the following data should the nurse report to the provider?
Partial thromboplastin time (PTT) 65 seconds
Hematocrit 45%
White blood cell count 8.000/mm3
Platelets
The Correct Answer is A
A. Partial thromboplastin time (PTT) 65 seconds: The normal PTT range is typically between 25 to 35 seconds for patients not on anticoagulants. For a patient receiving heparin therapy, the therapeutic PTT range is usually 1.5 to 2.5 times the normal value, which translates to approximately 60 to 100 seconds. A PTT of 65 seconds is at the lower end of the therapeutic range and may require adjustment in dosage or closer monitoring, especially if there are concerns about achieving adequate anticoagulation for the treatment of a pulmonary embolism. It is important to report this value to the provider.
B. Hematocrit 45%: A hematocrit of 45% is within the normal range for adult females (38% to 47%) and males (40% to 54%). This value does not indicate any immediate concern related to heparin therapy or the treatment of a pulmonary embolism.
C. White blood cell count 8.000/mm³: A white blood cell count of 8,000/mm³ is within the normal range (4,500 to 11,000/mm³) and does not indicate any infection or inflammatory process that requires immediate reporting.
D. Platelets: The specific platelet count value is not provided. However, heparin therapy can lead to thrombocytopenia (low platelet count), so if the platelet count is below 150,000/mm³, it should be reported to the provider. Without the specific value, it is not possible to determine if this requires reporting.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Airborne: Airborne precautions are used for diseases that can be transmitted through airborne droplet nuclei, such as tuberculosis or measles. Hepatitis C is not transmitted through the air, making airborne precautions unnecessary for this condition.
B. Droplet: Droplet precautions are required for infections spread through respiratory droplets, such as influenza or meningitis. Hepatitis C is not spread via respiratory droplets, so droplet precautions are not applicable.
C. Contact: Contact precautions are necessary for infections that can be transmitted through direct contact with the patient or contaminated surfaces, such as MRSA or C. difficile. While contact precautions may be applied in specific situations involving hepatitis C, they are not the standard precautions for routine care of hepatitis C patients.
D. Standard: Standard precautions are the foundation for infection control practices and are recommended for all patients, regardless of their diagnosis. This includes measures such as hand hygiene, using personal protective equipment (PPE) when necessary, and safe handling of potentially contaminated materials. Since hepatitis C is primarily transmitted through blood and body fluids, standard precautions are appropriate for caring for clients with this condition.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Move the client's limbs through their complete range of motion: This action describes passive range-of-motion exercises, where the nurse assists the client in moving their limbs. While this is beneficial for clients who cannot move independently, it does not align with the plan for isometric exercises, which focus on muscle contraction without joint movement.
B. Have the client move each limb independently through its complete range of motion: This describes active range-of-motion exercises, which involve the client actively moving their limbs. Although these exercises are important for maintaining joint flexibility and preventing stiffness, they are not isometric exercises, which are intended to be performed without changing the length of the muscle.
C. Ask the client to move her arms and legs while applying slight resistance: This action combines movement with resistance training, which is not consistent with isometric exercises. Isometric exercises focus solely on muscle contraction without joint movement or changing muscle length, making this option inappropriate for the prescribed plan of care.
D. Instruct the client to tighten muscle groups for a short period, and then relax: This accurately describes isometric exercises, where the client contracts specific muscle groups (e.g., arms, legs, abdomen) without moving the joints. These exercises help maintain muscle strength and prevent atrophy while the client is on bedrest. The nurse should guide the client to perform these contractions for a few seconds, followed by relaxation, as directed by the plan of care.
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