An acutely ill, anemic child's peripheral blood smear shows small, dense, spherical RBCs. What action by the nurse takes priority?
A.
Assess and treat the child's pain adequately.
B.
Discuss the option of a bone marrow transplant.
C.
Obtain informed consent for blood transfusions.
D.
Prepare the family for chelation therapy.
ANS: C
The peripheral blood smear indicates spherocytosis, which, when acute, is treated with transfusions. The nurse ensures informed consent is obtained and present on the chart. Assessing and treating pain is important but does not take priority. Chelation therapy is not indicated in the question. A bone marrow transplant may or may not be considered, but is not the primary need of this child.
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