Chapter 32: Assessment of Hematologic Function and Treatment Modalities

A client with a history of congestive heart failure has an order to receive 1 unit of packed red blood cells (RBCs). If the nurse hangs the blood at 12:00 pm, by what time must the infusion be completed?

4:00 PM

A nurse is caring for a patient who has had a bone marrow aspiration with biopsy. What complication should the nurse be aware of and monitor the patient for?

Hemorrhage Hazards of either bone marrow aspiration or biopsy include bleeding and infection. The risk of bleeding is somewhat increased if the patient's platelet count is low or if the patient has been taking a medication (e.g., aspirin) that alters platelet function.

Splenic sequestration is diagnosed in a client admitted with splenomegaly. What is the priority of care for this client?

Hypovolemia If the spleen is enlarged, a greater proportion of red cells and platelets can be sequestered. With less red blood cells in circulation, the client can become hypovolemic resulting in shock. Decreased white blood cells in circulation, not red blood cells, increases the chance of infection. Decreased circulatory volume results in hypotension, not hypertension. Hyperthermia is not a result of decreased red blood cells in circulation.

Vitamin B and folic acid deficiencies are characterized by production of abnormally large erythrocytes called

Megaloblasts Megaloblasts are abnormally large erythrocytes. Blast cells are primitive WBCs. Mast cells are cells found in connective tissue involved in defense of the body and coagulation. Monocytes are large WBCs that become macrophages when they leave the circulation and move into body tissues.

Which cell of hematopoiesis is responsible for the production of red blood cells (RBCs) and platelets?

Myeloid stem cells Myeloid stem cells are responsible not only for all nonlymphoid white blood cells (WBC) but also for the production of red blood cells and platelets. Lymphoid cells produce either T or B lymphocytes. A monocyte is large WBC that becomes a macrophage when is leaves the circulation and moves into body tissues, and not responsible for RBC production.. A neutrophil is a fully mature WBC capable of phagocytosis and not responsible for RBC production.

An older adult client presents to the health care provider's office and reports exhaustion. The nurse, aware of the most common hematologic condition affecting the elderly, knows that which laboratory values should be assessed?

RBC values Anemia is the most common hematologic condition effecting the elderly.

The physician performs a bone marrow biopsy from the posterior iliac crest on a client with pancytopenia. What intervention should the nurse perform after the procedure?

Apply pressure over the site for 5-7 minutes. Hazards of either bone marrow aspiration or biopsy include bleeding and infection. The risk of bleeding is somewhat increased if the client's platelet count is low or if the client has been taking a medication (e.g., aspirin) that alters platelet function. After the marrow sample is obtained, pressure is applied to the site for several minutes. The site is then covered with a sterile dressing.

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

Decreased O2 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.

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?

Contraction of skeletal muscle compresses the walls of veins and increases the circulation of venous blood as it returns to the heart. 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.

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 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

A client with severe anemia is admitted to the hospital. Because of religious beliefs, the client is refusing blood transfusions. The nurse anticipates pharmacologic therapy with which drug to stimulate the production of red blood cells?

Epoetin alfa Erythropoietin (epoetin alfa) is an effective alternative treatment for clients with chronic anemia secondary to diminished levels of erythropoietin. This medication stimulates erythropoiesis. Filgratism ( Neupogen) and Sagramostim stimulate granulocytosis( increasing WBC count) , Eltrombopag (Promacta) is used to treat aplastic anemia and thrombocytopenia.

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

Erythropoietin 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.

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

Explain the time frame needed for autologous donation. 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. Reference:

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?

Lack of erythropoietin 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.

Which blood cell type is matched correctly with its function?

Leukocyte: Fights infection

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 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).

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

Remain for observation after eating and drinking. 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.

Place the following procedural steps in order for transfusing a unit of packed red blood cells (PRBCs).

Start an intravenous line. Obtain the unit of PRBCs from the blood bank. Double check the labels with another nurse to ensure correct ABO group and Rh type. Initiate the blood transfusion within 30 minutes of receipt. Monitor closely for signs of a transfusion reaction.

Which type of lymphocyte is responsible for cellular immunity?

T lymphocyte 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.

While caring for a client, the nurse notes petechiae on the client's trunk and lower extremities. What precaution will the nurse take when caring for this client?

Use an electric razor when assisting the client with shaving. Petechiae are associated with severe thrombocytopenia, placing the client at risk for bleeding. The nurse should use an electric razor when assisting the client with shaving. Elevating the head of the bed and applying supplemental oxygen would be appropriate for a client with decreased oxygenation. Wearing a mask when entering the client's room would be appropriate for a client with neutropenia, not thrombocytopenia.