A patient with chronic renal failure receives hemodialysis treatments 3 days a week. Every 2 weeks, the patient requires a transfusion of 1 or 2 U of packed red blood cells. What is the probable reason for this patient's frequent transfusion needs?
a. Too much blood phlebotomized for tests
b. Increased destruction of red blood cells because of the increased toxin levels
c. Lack of production of erythropoietin to stimulate red blood cell formation
d. Fluid retention causing hemodilution
C
In chronic renal failure, the kidneys do not produce sufficient amounts of erythropoietin in response to normal stimuli such as anemia or hypotension. The other choices are not reasons for frequent blood transfusions in this patient.
You might also like to view...
The ED nurse is caring for an 11-year-old brought in by ambulance after having been hit by a car. The child's parents are thought to be en route to the hospital but have not yet arrived
No other family members are present and attempts to contact the parents have been unsuccessful. The child needs emergency surgery to save her life. How should the need for informed consent be addressed? A) A social worker should temporarily sign the informed consent. B) Consent should be obtained from the hospital's ethics committee. C) Surgery should be done without informed consent. D) Surgery should be delayed until the parents arrive.
A client is diagnosed with colon cancer, located in the lower third of the rectum. What does the nurse understand will be the surgical treatment option for this client?
A) Colectomy B) Segmental resection C) Abdominoperineal resection D) A low colectomy
The nurse is interviewing a postmenopausal client during an annual gynecologic exam. Which assessment finding presents the greatest concern in the care of this client?
A) Positive for human papillomavirus (HPV) B) Use of pessary C) Vaginal bleeding D) Urinary stress incontinence
H. pylori is the leading cause of peptic ulcers. How does H. pylori act to cause ulcers in susceptible clients?
A) Erodes the mucosal layer of the stomach B) Decreases acid secretion so food can erode the lining of the stomach C) Secretes an enzyme that depletes gastric mucus D) Increases acid secretion so stomach acid actually erodes the lining of the stomach