The nurse caring for a child with hemolytic uremic syndrome notices that the child's lab reports indicate a worsening anemia and a falling hematocrit and platelet count

Question

The nurse will most need to plan some interventions to deal with which of the following problems that the child is most at risk of developing based on these changes in lab values? a. edema and electrolyte imbalance
b. bruising, bleeding, and purpura
c. altered levels of consciousness and seizures
d. congestive heart failure

Answer 1

B

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A Incorrect. Noticing that the child's lab reports indicate a worsening anemia and a falling hematocrit and platelet count, the nurse caring for a child with hemolytic uremic syndrome, will not most need to plan interventions to deal with edema and electrolyte imbalance.
B Correct. Once the hemolytic process starts, the child becomes progressively more irritable, lethargic, and anorectic, as the diarrhea and vomiting continue from a few days to 2 weeks. Soon, the child experiences anemia, and, as it worsens pallor increases, the hematocrit falls, and urine output diminishes. As the platelet count falls, there is an increased chance of bleeding, bruising, and purpura. As the urinary system becomes more restricted with clot formation, the blood pressure rises leading to hypertension.
C Incorrect. Noticing that the child's lab reports indicate a worsening anemia and a falling hematocrit and platelet count, the nurse caring for a child with hemolytic uremic syndrome, will not most need to plan interventions to deal with altered levels of consciousness and seizures.
D Incorrect. Noticing that the child's lab reports indicate a worsening anemia and a falling hematocrit and platelet count, the nurse caring for a child with hemolytic uremic syndrome, will not most need to plan interventions to deal with congestive heart failure.