A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is demonstrating signs of secondary polycythemia vera. The nurse realizes that which of the following will be assessed to confirm the diagnosis?
1. platelet count
2. carboxyhemoglobin level
3. sedimentation rate
4. serum electrolytes
2
Rationale: To confirm the diagnoses of secondary polycythemia vera in a patient with lung disease, a carboxyhemoglobin level may be drawn. Platelet count will not aid in the diagnosis of the disease. Sedimentation rate or serum electrolytes will not aid in the diagnosis of this disease.
You might also like to view...
A patient recovering from thoracic surgery is on long-term mechanical ventilation and becomes very frustrated when he tries to communicate. What intervention should the nurse perform to assist the patient?
A) Assure the patient that everything will be all right and that remaining calm is the best strategy. B) Ask a family member to interpret what the patient is trying to communicate. C) Ask the physician to wean the patient off the mechanical ventilator to allow the patient to speak freely. D) Express empathy and then encourage the patient to write, use a picture board, or spell words with an alphabet board.
Which of the following designs involves using the same subjects at several points in time?
A) Cohort study B) Cross-sectional study C) Panel study D) Trend study
Prior to caring for a Native American patient, the nurse reviews the diseases that are more prevalent in this culture. What is the nurse taking into consideration when caring for this patient?
1. Social organization pattern 2. Environmental control 3. Biological variation 4. Component of heritage consistency
The unconscious patient is resisting attempts by the nurse to provide oral hygiene. To provide the needed care, the nurse may
a. Insert an oral airway upside down. b. Hold the patient's mouth open with her fingers. c. Position the patient on his back. d. Use undiluted hydrogen peroxide as a cleaner.