The nurse is caring for an older adult client who has a hemoglobin of 9.6 g/dL and a hematocrit of 34%. To determine where the blood loss is coming from, what intervention can the nurse provide?
A) Observe stools for blood.
B) Observe the gums for bleeding after the client brushes teeth.
C) Observe the sputum for signs of blood.
D) Observe client for facial droop.
A
Feedback:
Iron-deficiency anemia is unusual in older adults. Normally, the body does not eliminate excessive iron, causing total body iron stores to increase with age and necessitating maintenance of hydration. If an older adult is anemic, blood loss from the gastrointestinal or genitourinary tracts is suspected. Observing the stool for blood will help detect blood from GI loss. Bleeding gums may indicate periodontal disease, or anticoagulation from medication is not related to age. Blood in sputum can be an indicator of various lung disorders that may affect all age groups. Facial droop may indicate an impending stroke or Bell's palsy and would not be a reason for blood loss.
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