A nurse is caring for a client with leukemia who reports easy bruising and petechiae on the skin. What is the underlying cause of these symptoms?
Increased platelet production
Overproduction of red blood cells
Impaired clotting factors in the blood
Deficiency of white blood cells
The Correct Answer is C
A) This choice is incorrect because increased platelet production would not lead to easy bruising and petechiae. It would, in fact, improve clotting abilities.
B) This choice is incorrect because overproduction of red blood cells would not directly cause easy bruising and petechiae. It may lead to symptoms like fatigue and pallor.
C) This choice is correct. Easy bruising and petechiae are common in leukemia due to a deficiency of platelets and impaired clotting factors in the blood. Leukemia can lead to decreased platelet production and clotting abnormalities, resulting in easy bleeding and bruising.
D) This choice is incorrect because a deficiency of white blood cells would not directly cause easy bruising and petechiae. It might lead to an increased risk of infections.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A) This choice is incorrect because peripheral neuropathy is more commonly associated with certain chemotherapy drugs, not radiation therapy.
B) This choice is incorrect because nausea and vomiting are common side effects of chemotherapy, not radiation therapy.
C) This choice is incorrect because alopecia (hair loss) is more commonly associated with chemotherapy, not radiation therapy.
D) This choice is correct. Neutropenia, which is a decrease in the number of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell), is a potential side effect of radiation therapy. This can increase the client's risk of infection, and regular monitoring of blood counts is necessary during treatment.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A) This choice is incorrect because while a complete blood count (CBC) is an important initial screening test for leukemia, it alone is not definitive for diagnosis. A CBC may show abnormal levels of blood cells, prompting further investigation, including a bone marrow biopsy.
B) This choice is incorrect because a urinalysis is not used to diagnose leukemia. It is a test used to evaluate kidney function and detect urinary abnormalities.
C) This choice is incorrect because a chest X-ray is not a definitive diagnostic tool for leukemia. It is primarily used to assess the lungs and chest organs for conditions such as pneumonia or tumors.
D) This choice is correct. A bone marrow biopsy is a definitive diagnostic tool to confirm leukemia. In this procedure, a small sample of bone marrow is taken from the hipbone or breastbone and examined under a microscope to determine if leukemia cells are present. It allows for the identification of abnormal cells in the bone marrow, helping to establish the diagnosis and type of leukemia.
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