A nurse is assessing a postoperative client who has anemia due to excessive blood loss during surgery. What findings should the nurse expect?

Choice A rationale
Free T4 levels are typically low in primary hypothyroidism, not elevated.

Choice B rationale
Serum T3 levels are also typically low in primary hypothyroidism.
Choice C rationale
In primary hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland is not producing enough thyroid hormone, leading to an elevated TSH level as the pituitary gland tries to stimulate more hormone production.
Choice D rationale
Serum calcium levels are not directly affected by primary hypothyroidism.

Choice A rationale

Anemia due to excessive blood loss during surgery can lead to a variety of symptoms. One of the most common symptoms is fatigue. This is because anemia results in a decrease in the amount of oxygen that can be delivered to the body’s tissues, leading to a lack of energy and feelings of exhaustion. Therefore, a nurse should expect to find fatigue in a postoperative client who has anemia due to excessive blood loss during surgery.
Choice B rationale
Bradycardia, or a slower than normal heart rate, is not typically associated with anemia. Instead, anemia can actually lead to tachycardia, or a faster than normal heart rate, as the body tries to compensate for the decreased oxygen carrying capacity of the blood.
Choice C rationale
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is not a typical finding in patients with anemia. In fact, in severe cases, anemia can lead to hypotension, or low blood pressure, due to a decrease in the blood’s ability to carry oxygen.
Choice D rationale
Diarrhea is not a common symptom of anemia. Anemia due to excessive blood loss during surgery is more likely to result in symptoms related to a lack of oxygen in the body’s tissues, such as fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath.