The patient's laboratory testing reveals a decreased red blood cell count

Question

The nurse anticipates further testing to determine if the patient has which disorder? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply. 1. Polycythemia vera
2. Bleeding
3. Lack of hormone needed to produce leukocytes
4. Bone marrow suppression
5. Abnormal destruction of erythrocytes

Answer 1

2,4,5
Rationale 1: Polycythemia vera is an overproduction of erythrocytes and is not characterized by a low red blood cell count.
Rationale 2: Bleeding causes abnormal loss of erythrocytes, resulting in a low red blood cell count.
Rationale 3: Leukocytes are white blood cells, so a lack of hormones to produce leukocytes would not affect a red blood cell count.
Rationale 4: Red blood cells are formed in the bone marrow, so suppression would cause fewer cells to be produced.
Rationale 5: If erythrocytes are being destroyed abnormally, the red blood cell count will drop.