Med Surg ch. 32 Hematologic

The nurse should provide further teaching about post bone-marrow biopsy procedures when the client makes which statement?

A bone marrow biopsy is usually performed with local anesthesia, not general. Aspirin can increased the risk of bleeding and should be avoided post procedure. The client should expect to feel some aching in the hip area for 1-2 days. A sterile dressing is applied upon completion of the procedure and should remain in place until the healthcare provider tells the client it is safe to remove.

The nurse is working at a blood donation clinic. What teaching should the nurse provide to the donor immediately after blood donation?

After blood donation, the donor receives food and fluids and is asked to remain for observation. After the needle is removed, donors are asked to hold the involved arm straight up, and firm pressure is applied with sterile gauze for 2 to 3 minutes. A firm bandage is then applied. The donor remains recumbent until he or she feels able to sit up, usually within a few minutes.

Albumin is important for the maintenance of fluid balance within the vascular system. Albumin is produced by which of the following?

Albumin is produced by the liver. Albumin is not produced in the pancreas, kidney, or large intestine.

A nurse is assigned to care for a patient with ascites, secondary to cirrhosis. The nurse understands that the fluid accumulation in the peritoneal cavity results from a combination of factors including an alteration in oncotic pressure gradients and increased capillary permeability. Therefore, the nurse monitors the serum level of the plasma protein responsible for maintaining oncotic pressure, which is:

Albumin, only produced in the liver, is essential for maintaining oncotic pressure in the vascular system. A decrease in oncotic pressure due to low albumin causes fluid to leak into the peritoneal cavity.

Which type of leukocyte contains histamine and is an important part of hypersensitivity reactions?

Basophils contain histamine and are an integral part of hypersensitivity reactions. B lymphocytes are responsible for humoral immunity. A plasma cell secretes immunogolubulins. The neutrophil functions in preventing or limiting bacterial infection via phagocytosis.

The nurse is preparing a patient for a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy from the site of the posterior superior iliac crest. What position will the nurse place the patient in?

Bone marrow aspiration procedure. The posterior superior iliac crest is the preferred site for bone marrow aspiration and biopsy because no vital organs or vessels are nearby. The patient is placed either in the lateral position with one leg flexed or in the prone position.

A patient with chronic kidney disease is being examined by the nurse practitioner for anemia. The nurse has reviewed the laboratory data for hemoglobin and RBC count. What other test results would the nurse anticipate observing?

Differentiation of the primitive myeloid stem cell into an erythroblast is stimulated by erythropoietin, a hormone produced primarily by the kidney. If the kidney detects low levels of oxygen, as occurs when fewer red cells are available to bind oxygen (i.e., anemia), or with people living at high altitudes with lower atmospheric oxygen concentrations, erythropoietin levels increase. The increased erythropoietin then stimulates the marrow to increase production of erythrocytes. The entire process of erythropoiesis typically takes 5 days (Cook, Ineck, & Lyons, 2011). For normal erythrocyte production, the bone marrow also requires iron, vitamin B12, folate, pyridoxine (vitamin B6), protein, and other factors. A deficiency of these factors during erythropoiesis can result in decreased red cell production and anemia.

The nurse is screening donors for blood donation. Which client is an acceptable donor for blood?

Donors must meet certain requirements to be able to donate blood. A client should be in good health, such as the client who had a cold more than 1 month ago that resolved quickly. Those excluded from donating blood have a history of viral hepatitis, report a blood transfusion within 12 months, and had a dental extraction within 72 hours. The reason for exclusion is that they are at increased risk of transmitting an infectious disease.

A client with chronic kidney disease has chronic anemia. What pharmacologic alternative to blood transfusion may be used for this client?

Erythropoietin (epoetin alfa [Epogen, Procrit]) is an effective alternative treatment for clients with chronic anemia secondary to diminished levels of erythropoietin, as in chronic renal disease. This medication stimulates erythropoiesis.

The body responds to infection by increasing the production of white blood cells (WBCs). The nurse should evaluate the differential count for what type of WBCs, which are the first WBCs to respond to an inflammatory event?

Neutrophils, the most abundant type of white blood cell, are the first of the WBCs to respond to infection or inflammation. The normal value is 3,000 to 7,000/cmm (males) and 1,800 to 7,700/cmm (females).

A client comes into the emergency department reporting an enlarged tongue. The tongue appears smooth and beefy red in color. The nurse also observes a 5-cm incision on the upper left quadrant of the abdomen. When questioned, the client states, "I had a partial gastrostomy 2 years ago." Based on this information, the nurse attributes these symptoms to which problem?

Because vitamin B12 is found only in foods of animal origin, strict vegetarians may ingest little vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 combines with intrinsic factor produced in the stomach. The vitamin B12-intrinsic factor complex is absorbed in the distal ileum. Clients who have had a partial or total gastrectomy may have limited amounts of intrinsic factor, and therefore the absorption of vitamin B12 may be diminished. The effects of either decreased absorption or decreased intake of vitamin B12 are not apparent for 2-4 years. This results in megaloblastic anemia. Some symptoms are a smooth, beefy red, enlarged tongue and cranial nerve deficiencies.

The nurse expects which assessment finding when caring for a client with a decreased hemoglobin level?

Hemoglobin carries oxygen; a decreased hemoglobin level results in decreased oxygen. An elevated temperature is a sign of infection and can result from decreased white blood cells. Arterial blood is more oxygen saturated and brighter red in color than venous blood. Increased bruising results from a decreased platelet level, not decreased hemoglobin.

A patient who has long-term packed RBC (PRBC) transfusions has developed symptoms of iron toxicity that affect liver function. What immediate treatment should the nurse anticipate preparing the patient for that can help prevent organ damage?

Iron overload is a complication unique to people who have had long-term PRBC transfusions. One unit of PRBCs contains 250 mg of iron. Patients with chronic transfusion requirements can quickly acquire more iron than they can use, leading to iron overload. Over time, the excess iron deposits in body tissues and can cause organ damage, particularly in the liver, heart, testes, and pancreas. Promptly initiating a program of iron chelation therapy can prevent end-organ damage from iron toxicity.

The nurse is instructing the client with polycythemia vera how to perform isometric exercises such as contracting and relaxing the quadriceps and gluteal muscle during periods of inactivity. What does the nurse understand is the rationale for this type of exercise?

Isometric exercise induce contraction of skeletal muscle so that it compresses the walls of veins and increases the circulation of venous blood as it returns to the heart. Isometric exercises do not have an aerobic effect and should not increase the heart rate; although, it may increase blood pressure. Isometric exercise does not decrease the workload of the heart. Arterial flow moves blood flow away from the heart after being oxygenated.

Which term refers to a form of white blood cell involved in immune response?

Mature lymphocytes are the principal cells of the immune system, producing antibodies and identifying other cells and organisms as "foreign." Both B and T lymphocytes respond to exposure to antigens. Granulocytes include basophils, neutrophils, and eosinophils. A spherocyte is a red blood cell without central pallor, seen with hemolysis. A thrombocyte is a platelet.

A client wants to donate blood before his or her abdominal surgery next week. What should be the nurse's first action?

Preoperative autologous donations are ideally collected 4 to 6 weeks before surgery. The nurse should first explain that time frame to this client. Surgery is scheduled in one week which means that autologous blood donation may not be an option for this client. A list of donation centers can be provided to the client; and even though iron is recommended and 2 units of blood may be suggested, the first action is to tell the client about the needed time frame for donation.

Which type of lymphocyte is responsible for cellular immunity?

T lymphocytes are responsible for delayed allergic reactions, rejection of foreign tissue (e.g., transplanted organs), and destruction of tumor cells. This process is known as cellular immunity. B lymphocytes are responsible for humoral immunity. A plasma cell secretes immunoglobulin. A basophil contains histamine and is an integral part of hypersensivity reactions.

A client receiving a blood transfusion reports shortness of breath, appears anxious, and has a pulse of 125 beats/minute. What is the best action for the nurse to take after stopping the transfusion and awaiting further instruction from the health care provider?

The client is exhibiting signs of circulatory overload. After stopping the transfusion and notifying the healthcare provider, the nurse should place the client in a more upright position with the legs dependent to decrease workload on the heart. The IV line is kept patent in case emergency medications are needed. Oxygen and morphine may be needed to treat severe dyspnea. Administering an anti-anxiety agent is not a priority action over ensuring oxygen is available.

A client in acute renal failure has been prescribed 2 units of packed red blood cells (PRBCs). The nurse explains to the client that the blood transfusion is most likely needed for which reason?

The kidneys produce erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates red blood cell production. A lack of this hormone is the most likely reason for blood transfusion due to the acute kidney failure. There is no indication for a nephrectomy in this question. A blood transfusion will not necessarily increase the effectiveness of dialysis. Transfusing a client with hypervolemia could lead to circulatory overload.

A nurse is caring for a client who will undergo total knee replacement and will have an autologous transfusion. Which statement will the nurse include when teaching the client about the transfusion?

With autologous donation, a client's own blood may be collected for future transfusion; this is an effective method for orthopedic surgery, where the likelihood of transfusion is high. Preoperative donation is ideally collected 4-6 weeks before surgery. The nurse will not tell the client that the blood will not be needed; orthopedic surgeries often require transfusion of blood. The client will be prescribed iron supplements during the donation time, not calcium.