Which nursing interventions are appropriate for managing ITP? Select all that apply.
Avoid IM injections
Avoid rectal thermometers
Use a soft toothbrush
Administer aspirin for headache
Monitor stools for occult blood
Correct Answer : A,B,C,E
A. Avoid IM injections: In immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), platelet counts are low, increasing the risk of bleeding and hematoma formation with intramuscular injections. Using alternative routes such as oral or subcutaneous administration when possible reduces trauma to the tissues and prevents uncontrolled bleeding.
B. Avoid rectal thermometers: Rectal instrumentation can cause mucosal trauma and bleeding in patients with thrombocytopenia. Avoiding rectal thermometers helps prevent localized hemorrhage, which can be difficult to control in patients with ITP.
C. Use a soft toothbrush: Patients with ITP are at increased risk of oral mucosal bleeding due to low platelet counts. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush minimizes trauma to the gums during oral hygiene and reduces the risk of gingival bleeding.
D. Administer aspirin for headache: Aspirin has antiplatelet effects and can exacerbate bleeding tendencies in ITP. It should be avoided; alternative analgesics like acetaminophen are preferred. Administering aspirin could precipitate serious hemorrhagic complications.
E. Monitor stools for occult blood: Gastrointestinal bleeding is a potential complication of ITP. Monitoring stools for occult blood allows early detection of internal bleeding, even in the absence of overt symptoms, enabling timely intervention and management of hemorrhagic events.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Decreased B/P, decreased sodium, water retention: This scenario reflects fluid overload with hyponatremia, which is opposite to the pathophysiology of diabetes insipidus. In DI, the kidneys fail to concentrate urine, leading to water loss rather than retention, so sodium levels typically rise rather than decrease.
B. Decreased B/P, increased sodium, polyuria: Diabetes insipidus is characterized by a deficiency of antidiuretic hormone (central DI) or renal insensitivity to ADH (nephrogenic DI). This leads to excessive free water loss, causing polyuria and dehydration. Dehydration results in hypotension and hypernatremia due to reduced plasma volume and concentration of serum sodium.
C. Increased B/P, increased sodium, polydipsia: While polydipsia is a hallmark of DI, blood pressure usually decreases rather than increases due to volume depletion. Elevated blood pressure is not consistent with the hypovolemic state caused by excessive fluid loss in DI.
D. Increased B/P, decreased sodium, oliguria: Oliguria and hyponatremia are not features of diabetes insipidus. Oliguria suggests reduced urine output, whereas DI presents with copious urine output. Hyponatremia results from water retention, not loss, and does not reflect the hypernatremia seen in DI.
Correct Answer is ["A","B","D","E"]
Explanation
A. Loss of bowel control: Loss of bowel or bladder control is a late sign of spinal cord compression. Compression of sacral nerve roots impairs autonomic function, making this a critical symptom to assess and report immediately.
B. Sharp thoracic back pain: Localized, severe, or sharp back pain, especially in the thoracic region, is often the earliest symptom of spinal cord compression. It may worsen with movement or coughing and signals pressure on vertebral or spinal structures.
C. Inability to move arms: Arm paralysis occurs only if cervical spinal cord levels are affected. In metastatic cancer, compression is most commonly thoracic or lumbar, so upper extremity motor loss is less typical and not a consistent finding unless the lesion is cervical.
D. Progressive muscle weakness in legs: Weakness in the lower extremities is a hallmark early manifestation of thoracic or lumbar spinal cord compression. It typically progresses gradually, reflecting motor pathway involvement.
E. Paresthesia in lower extremities: Sensory changes, such as numbness, tingling, or burning sensations in the legs, occur as the spinal cord or nerve roots are compressed. Early recognition helps prevent permanent neurologic deficits.
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