The nurse is caring for a patient recovering from a splenectomy. What should the nurse realize will occur regarding this patient's immunity?
1. The liver and bone marrow will take over the spleen's functions.
2. The patient will need to avoid infections every day of his life.
3. The patient will have edematous lymph glands throughout his body.
4. The thymus gland will take over the spleen's functions.
Correct Answer: 1
The spleen is not essential for life. If it is removed, the liver and bone marrow, not the thymus gland, will take over its functions. Having the spleen removed does not mean that the patient will need to avoid infections every day of his life or have edematous lymph glands throughout his body.
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