A patient has a platelet count of 20,000/mm3. What action should the nurse take?
a. Assist out of bed to a chair
b. Draw another blood sample
c. Measure a rectal temperature
d. Place on bleeding precautions
ANS: D
A platelet count of less than 20,000/mm3 (nl 150,000 to 450,000/mm3) places the patient at risk for bleeding. A. B. C. Because the patient is at risk for bleeding, the patient most likely should not be transferred to a chair. The patient is at risk for bleeding after a venipuncture. C. Rectal temperatures increase the risk for bleeding and should not be done.
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