A critically ill child on a ventilator is mildly anemic. Which action by the nurse is the most appropriate?
A.
Decrease the administration rate of the IV fluids.
B.
Draw minimal amounts of blood for laboratory tests.
C.
Have parents sign consent for blood transfusions.
D.
Monitor the child's hemoglobin levels daily.
ANS: B
Critically ill children have frequent blood draws for laboratory tests. The nurse should ensure that the minimum amount of blood is collected each time. Decreasing fluid rates might concentrate the hemoglobin and raise the level, but at the risk of dehydration. A mildly anemic child would not need transfusions. Monitoring the hemoglobin daily is an essential nursing function but will not actively help the child with this condition.
You might also like to view...
The patient demonstrates understanding of the implications for future pregnancies secondary to her classic uterine incision when she states:
1. "The next time I have a baby, I can try to deliver vaginally." 2. "The risk of rupturing my uterus is too high for me to have any more babies." 3. "Every time I have a baby, I will have to have a cesarean delivery." 4. "I can only have one more baby."
When the patient is in crisis, call out for help so that you never leave the patient
True False
A client needs to learn how to care for a new colostomy. Which teaching strategy should the nurse select for this instruction?
1. Role playing 2. Group process 3. Lecture-discussion 4. Demonstration–return demonstration
Give three examples of the causes of increased blood coagulability
What will be an ideal response?