The nurse includes the problem of “Risk for infection” in the plan of care for a client with myelosuppression. Which laboratory value provides the greatest support for this nursing problem?

Reference Range: Hemoglobin (Hgb) [14 to 18 g/dL (8.69 to 11.17 mmol/L)], Hematocrit (Hct) [42% to 52% (0.42 to 0.52 volume fraction)], Red Blood Cell Count (RBC) [4.2 to 5.4 x 10⁶/µL (4.2 to 5.4 x 10¹²/L)], White Blood Cell (WBC) [5,000 to 10,000/mm³ (5 to 10 x 10⁹/L)].

Red blood cell count of 3.5 x 10⁶/µL (3.5 x 10¹²/L).

White blood cell count of 1,500/mm³ (1.5 x 10⁹/L).

Hematocrit of 33% (0.33 volume fraction).

Hemoglobin of 10 g/dL (6.21 mmol/L).

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A reason: A red blood cell count of 3.5 x 10⁶/µL indicates anemia from myelosuppression, reducing oxygen transport. RBCs do not fight infection, so this does not support “risk for infection.” Low WBCs impair immune defense, increasing infection susceptibility, making WBC count more relevant to the nursing problem in this context.

Choice B reason: A WBC count of 1,500/mm³ indicates severe leukopenia from myelosuppression, reducing neutrophil production. This impairs immune response, significantly raising infection risk, as pathogens overwhelm the body’s defenses. This lab value directly supports “risk for infection,” necessitating precautions like isolation or antibiotics to prevent opportunistic infections.

Choice C reason: Hematocrit of 33% reflects anemia in myelosuppression, lowering oxygen delivery. This causes fatigue but does not increase infection risk, as RBCs are not immune cells. WBCs, particularly neutrophils, are critical for infection defense, making low WBC count more relevant to the nursing problem than hematocrit.

Choice D reason: Hemoglobin of 10 g/dL indicates anemia, reducing oxygen-carrying capacity in myelosuppression. This does not directly increase infection risk, as hemoglobin is not involved in immunity. Low WBCs compromise pathogen defense, making WBC count the key value supporting “risk for infection” in this client’s care plan.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason: Reviewing vascular disease history provides context but does not confirm perfusion status. An absent DP pulse may indicate arterial occlusion, risking ischemia. Doppler assessment directly evaluates blood flow, detecting patency, critical for guiding interventions to ensure limb perfusion, making history review secondary.

Choice B reason: Marking an auscultated DP pulse is incorrect, as pulses are palpated or Doppler-assessed, not auscultated. Auscultation applies to heart or lungs. Doppler confirms arterial flow, addressing absent pulse’s potential occlusion, making this inaccurate compared to the precise Doppler technique.

Choice C reason: Capillary refill evaluates perfusion but is less specific than Doppler, which confirms arterial flow. Prolonged refill may indicate ischemia, but absent DP pulse suggests arterial compromise. Doppler acoustically detects flow, diagnosing critical limb ischemia, making it the priority over indirect perfusion measures.

Choice D reason: Using Doppler to assess DP pulse is critical, as an absent pulse may indicate occlusion from peripheral arterial disease, risking ischemia. Doppler detects blood flow, confirming patency or obstruction, guiding urgent interventions like angiography, ensuring limb viability by addressing vascular compromise directly.

A. Baked potato with skin. B. Orange juice. C. White rice. D. Banana smoothie.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason: Baked potato with skin is high in potassium (about 900 mg), unsuitable for CKD, where impaired renal excretion risks hyperkalemia, causing cardiac arrhythmias. White rice is low-potassium, aligning with dietary restrictions, demonstrating understanding of the need to limit potassium intake in renal disease.

Choice B reason: Orange juice contains high potassium (about 500 mg per cup), dangerous in CKD, as reduced glomerular filtration increases hyperkalemia risk, affecting cardiac conduction. White rice, with minimal potassium, complies with restrictions, indicating the client’s understanding of safe dietary choices for kidney function.

Choice C reason: White rice is low in potassium (about 50 mg per cup), appropriate for CKD, where the kidneys cannot excrete excess potassium, risking hyperkalemia and arrhythmias. Choosing white rice shows the client understands the low-potassium diet, supporting safe management of renal disease and electrolyte balance.

Choice D reason: Banana smoothie is high in potassium (about 400 mg per banana), contraindicated in CKD, where hyperkalemia risks cardiac instability due to poor renal clearance. White rice, low in potassium, reflects dietary compliance, demonstrating the client’s understanding of restrictions to prevent electrolyte imbalances.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

While completing an admission assessment, the nurse is unable to palpate the client’s left dorsalis pedis (DP) pulse. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to implement?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A client with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is prescribed a low-potassium diet. Which food choice indicates to the nurse that the client understands the dietary restrictions?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A client who had a radical neck dissection returns to the surgical unit with two surgical drains in the right side of the incision. One drain bulb is open and has minimal drainage. Which action should the nurse take to increase drainage into the drain?

An older adult male client with schizophrenia is found smearing feces on the bathroom walls of the chronic mental health unit where he resides. Which action should the nurse implement?

The nurse orients a client with depression to a new room on the mental health unit. The client states, “It seems strange that I don’t have a television (TV) in my room.” Which statement is best for the nurse to provide?

Which action should the nurse implement when inserting an indwelling catheter for an uncircumcised male client?

The nurse is caring for a client with a new tracheostomy. Which action is most important to include in the client’s plan of care?

A client with a history of atrial fibrillation is prescribed warfarin. The nurse notes the client’s INR is 4.8. Which action should the nurse take? Reference Range: INR [2.0 to 3.0 for atrial fibrillation].

A client with a history of schizophrenia, and drug and alcohol abuse is admitted to the hospital for hepatitis. The nurse should contact the healthcare provider before implementing which prescription?