Deck 30: Nursing Assessment: Hematologic System

Question 1

In the patient who had an intraoperative hemorrhage 12 hours ago, the nurse would expect to find hematology results indicating

A) a hematocrit of 45%.
B) a hemoglobin of 13.2 g/dL.
C) a decreased white blood cell ( WBC ) count.
D) an elevated reticulocyte count.

Answer 1

an elevated reticulocyte count.

Question 2

When reviewing the complete blood count ( CBC ) for a patient admitted with abdominal pain, which information will be most important for the nurse to communicate to the health care provider?

A) Monocytes 4%
B) Hemoglobin 11.6 g/dL
C) Platelet count 145,000/µL
D) White blood cells ( WBCs ) 13,500/µL

Answer 2

White blood cells ( WBCs ) 13,500/µL

Question 3

A patient's complete blood count shows a hemoglobin of 20 g/dL and a hematocrit of 54%. Which question should the nurse ask to determine possible causes of this finding?

A) "Has there been any recent weight loss?"
B) "Do you have any history of lung disease?"
C) "What is your intake of fruits and vegetables?"
D) "Have you noticed any dark or bloody stools?"

Answer 3

"Do you have any history of lung disease?"

Question 4

When evaluating the red cell indices of a patient, the nurse knows that a low mean corpuscular volume (MCV) indicates

A) hypochromic red blood cells (RBCs).
B) inadequate numbers of RBCs.
C) low hemoglobin in the RBCs.
D) small size of the RBCs

Question 5

The health care provider orders an ultrasound of the spleen for a patient who has been in a car accident. Which action should the nurse take before this procedure?

A) Check for any iodine allergy.
B) Insert a large-bore IV catheter.
C) Place the patient on NPO status.
D) Assist the patient to a flat position.

Question 6

When doing discharge teaching for a patient who has had an emergency splenectomy following an automobile accident, the nurse will teach the patient about the increased risk for

A) infection.
B) lymphedema.
C) chronic anemia.
D) prolonged bleeding.

Question 7

When caring for a patient with a chronic iron deficiency anemia, the nurse will assess for

A) yellow-tinged sclerae.
B) shiny, smooth tongue.
C) numbness of the extremities.
D) gum bleeding and tenderness.

Question 8

The complete blood count ( CBC ) and differential indicate that a patient is neutropenic. Which action should the nurse include in the plan of care?

A) Avoid intramuscular injections.
B) Encourage increased oral fluids.
C) Check temperature every 4 hours.
D) Increase intake of iron-rich foods.

Question 9

The health care provider performs a bone marrow aspiration from the left posterior iliac crest on a patient with pancytopenia. Following the procedure, the nurse should

A) elevate the head of the bed to 45 degrees.
B) apply a sterile Band-Aid at the aspiration site.
C) use half-inch sterile gauze to pack the wound.
D) have the patient lie on the left side for an hour.

Question 10

The nurse who is reviewing laboratory data for an 86-year-old patient will be most concerned about

A) a white blood cell ( WBC ) count of 3500/mL.
B) a hematocrit of 37%.
C) a platelet count of 400,000/mL.
D) a hemoglobin of 11.8 g/dL.

Question 11

While examining the lymph nodes during physical assessment, the nurse would be most concerned about

A) a 2-cm nontender supraclavicular node.
B) a 1-cm mobile and nontender axillary node.
C) an inability to palpate any superficial lymph nodes.
D) firm inguinal nodes in a patient with an infected foot.

Question 12

When caring for a patient who is receiving heparin, the nurse will monitor

A) prothrombin time (PT).
B) fibrin degradation products (FDP).
C) international normalized ratio (INR).
D) activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT).

Question 13

The history and physical for a newly admitted patient states that the complete blood count ( CBC ) shows a "shift to the left." The nurse will plan to monitor the patient for

A) cool extremities.
B) pallor and weakness.
C) elevated temperature.
D) low oxygen saturation.

Question 14

A confused patient with pancytopenia of unknown origin is scheduled for the following diagnostic tests. The nurse should contact the patient's family member to sign a consent form before the

A) ABO blood typing.
B) bone marrow biopsy.
C) abdominal ultrasound.
D) complete blood count ( CBC ).

Question 15

While obtaining a health history from a patient with numerous petechiae on the skin, the nurse asks the patient specifically about the patient's use of

A) salicylates.
B) contraceptives.
C) antiseizure drugs.
D) antihypertensives.