A patient recovering from a splenectomy asks the nurse, "What's going to happen to me now that my spleen is gone?" What is an appropriate nursing response?
1. "You will have to avoid getting colds and flu."
2. "Your stomach will assume its functions."
3. "Your liver and bone marrow will assume its functions."
4. "A spleen is not really necessary."
Correct Answer: 3
The spleen is not essential for life. If it is removed because of disease or trauma, the liver and the bone marrow assume its functions. The patient will still be able to recover from colds and the flu. The stomach does not assume the spleen's functions. Telling the patient the spleen is not necessary, although not inaccurate, does not adequately address the question.
You might also like to view...
Which of the following statements is true about blended learning?
1. The use of blended learning should be appropriate for the content. 2. The use of blended learning is not appropriate for super user training. 3. Blended learning is too complicated for training sessions. 4. Blended learning should only be used for point-of-care staff.
Induction of labor is considered an acceptable obstetric procedure if it is a safe time to deliver the fetus
The charge nurse on the labor and delivery unit is often asked to schedule patients for this procedure and therefore must be cognizant of the specific conditions appropriate for labor induction, including which of the following? Select all that apply. a. Rupture of membranes at or near term b. Convenience of the woman or her physician c. Chorioamnionitis (inflammation of the amniotic sac) d. Postterm pregnancy e. Fetal death
D4 subordinates are not certain that they can do the job by themselves
a. True b. False
A client has been prescribed ibuprofen (Motrin) for left hip pain. What instructions should the nurse include on the client's teaching plan?
a) Drink large amounts of fluids daily b) Notify your health care provider if you develop bleeding gums c) Be sure to take this medication on an empty stomach d) Decrease the dosage in half if nausea occurs