A patient on chemotherapy after surgery develops thrombocytopenia. Which manifestation should the nurse report immediately to the physician?

a. Headache
b. Tarry stools
c. Pain at the surgical site
d. Blood pressure 136/88 mm Hg


ANS: B
B. Tarry stools are a sign of GI bleeding for which the patient with low platelets is at risk. A, C, and D may be problems also, but they are not life-threatening and are therefore lower priorities.

Nursing

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