The parents are ready to take their newly diagnosed hemophilia child home. Which of the following teaching aspects should the nurse discuss with them prior to discharge? Select all that apply

Question

A) Keep the child away from contact sports like football and wrestling.
B) Give ibuprofen (an NSAID) if the child runs a fever.
C) Aspirin should only be given for severe pain in the joints.
D) Administration of factor VIII at home when bleeding occurs.
E) The signs of a MI related to bleeding in the heart vessels.

Answer 1

Ans: A, D
Feedback:
The prevention of trauma is important in persons with hemophilia. Aspirin and other NSAIDs that affect platelet function should be avoided. Factor VIII replacement therapy (either recombinant or heat-treated concentrates from human plasma) administered at home has reduced the typical musculoskeletal damage. It is initiated when bleeding occurs or as prophylaxis with repeated bleeding episodes. Characteristically, bleeding occurs in soft tissues, the gastrointestinal tract, and the hip, knee, elbow, and ankle joints. Bleeding of the heart vessels is not usually associated with hemophilia A.