(Select all that apply): A nurse is assessing a patient with thrombocytopenia.
Which interventions are appropriate for this patient? Select all that apply.
Administer platelet transfusion.
Encourage high-intensity physical activity.
Monitor for signs of bleeding.
Administer heparin therapy.
Educate the patient on infection prevention.
Correct Answer : A,C,E
Choice A rationale:
"Administer platelet transfusion." Rationale: This is an appropriate intervention for a patient with thrombocytopenia, especially if they are experiencing severe bleeding or have a very low platelet count.
Platelet transfusion can help increase the platelet count and prevent or stop bleeding.
Choice B rationale:
"Encourage high-intensity physical activity." Rationale: This intervention is not appropriate for a patient with thrombocytopenia.
High-intensity physical activity can increase the risk of bleeding in these patients due to the low platelet count.
Choice C rationale:
"Monitor for signs of bleeding." Rationale: This is an essential intervention for a patient with thrombocytopenia.
Monitoring for signs of bleeding, such as petechiae, ecchymosis, or mucosal bleeding, allows for early detection and intervention.
Choice D rationale:
"Administer heparin therapy." Rationale: This intervention is not appropriate for a patient with thrombocytopenia, especially if the thrombocytopenia is immune-mediated, as heparin can exacerbate the condition.
Choice E rationale:
"Educate the patient on infection prevention." Rationale: This is an appropriate intervention for a patient with thrombocytopenia.
Patients with low platelet counts are at increased risk of infection, so education on infection prevention measures, such as hand hygiene and avoiding sick individuals, is essential.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Schistocytes suggest normal platelet function.
Rationale: This statement is incorrect.
Schistocytes are not related to platelet function.
Schistocytes are fragmented red blood cells, and their presence on a peripheral blood smear suggests mechanical damage to red blood cells, not platelets.
Choice B rationale:
Schistocytes are associated with thrombocytosis.
Rationale: This statement is incorrect.
Schistocytes are not associated with thrombocytosis, which is an elevated platelet count.
They are more commonly associated with conditions involving red blood cell fragmentation, such as hemolysis or microangiopathy.
Choice C rationale:
Schistocytes indicate hemolysis or microangiopathy.
Rationale: This statement is correct.
Schistocytes are fragmented red blood cells, and their presence on a peripheral blood smear is indicative of hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells) or microangiopathy (damage to small blood vessels)
This finding suggests that the patient may have an underlying condition leading to red blood cell destruction, which can be associated with thrombocytopenia.
Choice D rationale:
Schistocytes confirm the absence of bleeding risk.
Rationale: This statement is incorrect.
Schistocytes do not confirm the absence of bleeding risk.
While they are associated with conditions involving red blood cell damage, they do not provide information about the patient's platelet count, which is a more direct factor in bleeding risk.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Administering alternative anticoagulants.
Administering alternative anticoagulants is not the primary intervention for preventing or managing bleeding in a client with thrombocytopenia.
Anticoagulants may increase the risk of bleeding in such patients and are generally not indicated unless there is a specific medical reason to use them.
Choice B rationale:
Preparing the client for splenectomy.
Splenectomy is not typically performed as a preventive measure for bleeding in thrombocytopenic patients.
While splenectomy may be considered in some cases of immune thrombocytopenia, it is not the essential nursing intervention to prevent or manage bleeding in most clients with thrombocytopenia.
Choice C rationale:
Avoiding platelet transfusions.
Avoiding platelet transfusions is not a recommended intervention in clients with thrombocytopenia who are at risk of bleeding complications.
Platelet transfusions are often necessary to raise platelet levels and prevent or manage bleeding in these individuals.
Choice D rationale:
Applying pressure to any bleeding site and elevating the affected area.
This is the essential nursing intervention to prevent and manage bleeding in clients with thrombocytopenia.
Applying pressure to a bleeding site helps control bleeding, and elevating the affected area can reduce swelling and minimize bleeding.
It is a fundamental measure in the care of thrombocytopenic clients.
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