The nurse is caring for an older adult client with hemolytic anemia. When planning care for this client, which should the nurse take into consideration regarding this diagnosis?
Select all that apply.
A) It causes the red blood cells to be microcytic.
B) It is associated with an increase in the reticulocyte count.
C) It is the result of blood loss.
D) It is a result of the premature destruction of red blood cells.
E) It always requires treatment with folic acid.
Answer: B, D, E
Hemolytic anemia is more common with aging and is caused by the premature destruction of the red blood cells. The normal life span of a red blood cell is 120 days. All hemolytic anemias require treatment with folic acid because this vitamin is consumed by the increased bone marrow production of red blood cells in response to the anemia. It is not associated with blood loss. There is an increase, not a decrease, in the reticulocyte (immature red blood cells) count because they are released early from the bone marrow to compensate. Hemolytic anemias are normocytic (red blood cells are normal size), not microcytic.
You might also like to view...
One of the features of qualitative analysis is that there are a number of universal formal rules that facilitate the process
A) True B) False
Convert 500 mcg to an equivalent amount in milligrams
1. 500,000 mg 2. 50,000 mg 3. 0.5 mg 4. 0.05 mg
When a client taking methotrexate notifies the nurse of a sudden onset of a rash, the nurse is alerted to what life-threatening adverse effect associated with methotrexate?
1. Peptic ulcer 2. Stevens–Johnson syndrome 3. Pancreatitis 4. Myocardial infarction
The nurse analyzes the laboratory values of a child with leukemia who is receiving chemotherapy . The nurse notes that the platelet count is 20,000. Based on the laboratry result, which intervention will the nurse document in the plan of care?
a. initiate bleeding precautions b. monitor closely for sx of infection c. monitor temp q4h d. initiate protective isolation precautions