Question 1

Blood types refer to differences in which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Blood types are determined by the presence or absence of certain antigens on the surface of red blood cells. These antigens are known as A and B antigens, and people can have either one of both, or neither. The different combinations of A and B antigens determine someone's blood type (A, B, AB, or O). The presence or absence of the Rh factor, another antigen on red blood cells, determines whether someone is Rh-positive or Rh-negative.

Question 2

The nurse would become especially concerned about the risk of bleeding when a client's platelet count drops below which of the following standard critical values?

Accepted Answer

A platelet count below 50,000 per cubic milliliter is considered critically low and increases the risk of spontaneous bleeding, making it a significant concern for healthcare providers.

Question 3

Which of the following would not be considered a risk factor for the development of blood vessel thrombosis?

Accepted Answer

Fluid overload does not increase the risk of blood vessel thrombosis. Local trauma, venous stasis, and increased blood coagulability are all established risk factors for thrombosis.

Question 4

After injury to a blood vessel,what is the first reflexive step in establishing hemostasis?

Accepted Answer

After injury to a blood vessel, the first reflexive step in establishing hemostasis is blood vessel vasoconstriction to reduce blood flow to the damaged area. This is followed by platelet plug formation and then coagulation to create a fibrin clot to seal the wound. Bleeding is not a step in hemostasis, but a symptom of a disrupted hemostatic process. Therefore, the best choice is B.

Question 5

Which of the following substances is helpful in achieving a platelet plug at the site of injury to a blood vessel?

Accepted Answer

Thromboxane A2 is a potent vasoconstrictor and platelet aggregator that is secreted by activated platelets. Thromboxane A2 helps in achieving a platelet plug at the site of injury to a blood vessel. Fibrinogen is important in the clotting cascade but does not directly contribute to platelet plug formation. Fibrin is the end product of clotting cascade and helps stabilize the clot. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen, it does not play a role in platelet plug formation.

Question 6

The nurse anticipates that a client who has a deficiency in which of the following minerals is likely to be at risk for developing anemia?

Accepted Answer

Iron is an essential component of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. A deficiency in iron can lead to anemia. Copper is important for the formation of red blood cells, but a deficiency in copper does not directly cause anemia. Zinc and magnesium are important minerals for overall health, but deficiencies in these minerals do not typically lead to anemia.

Question 7

What symptom is seen in clients with a low quantity of platelets?

Accepted Answer

Small purple spots on the skin, known as petechiae, are a common symptom of clients with low platelet counts, also called thrombocytopenia. This is because platelets are responsible for blood clotting, and a low quantity can result in easy bruising and bleeding. Dark brown pigmentation (A) and large areas of white patches (D) are not typically associated with thrombocytopenia, while yellow sclera (B) is a symptom of jaundice, which is not directly related to platelet quantity.

Question 8

Anemia is generally diagnosed when the hemoglobin level drops below

Accepted Answer

Anemia is generally diagnosed when the hemoglobin level drops below 10 g/dL.

Question 9

A nurse overhears a physician state that a client with cancer receiving chemotherapy is leukopenic.The nurse interprets that the client's leukocyte count must be less than which of the following values?

Accepted Answer

Leukopenia refers to a decrease in the number of leukocytes (white blood cells) in the bloodstream. The normal range for leukocytes is typically between 4,000 and 11,000 per cubic milliliter. A leukocyte count less than 5,000 per cubic milliliter is generally considered leukopenic. Therefore, choice B (5,000 per cubic milliliter) is the correct answer.

Question 10

After a blood vessel has been injured,hemostasis is usually achieved by

Accepted Answer

Platelet plugs are formed when platelets adhere to the exposed collagen fibers of the damaged blood vessel wall, become activated, and aggregate to form a temporary plug that stops the bleeding. This is the primary mechanism for achieving hemostasis after a blood vessel injury. Vessel dilatation (A) and vascular relaxation (D) would not contribute to hemostasis, and neutrophilic influx (B) is part of the inflammatory response and would occur after hemostasis is achieved.

Question 11

Of the normal 5000-mL volume of blood in the body,the plasma composition is approximately

Accepted Answer

The plasma makes up approximately 60% of the total blood volume, which is equal to 3000 mL of the normal 5000-mL volume of blood in the body.

Question 12

The nurse caring for a client with anemia understands that the body will stimulate red blood cell production through secretion of erythropoietin in the presence of which of the following conditions in the body?

Accepted Answer

Erythropoietin is secreted by the kidneys in response to tissue hypoxia, which stimulates the production of red blood cells. Low blood pressure, increased heart rate, and decreased urine volume are not directly related to erythropoietin production.

Question 13

The nurse understands that which of the following is a potential physiologic effect on an Rh-positive fetus from having an Rh-negative mother?

Accepted Answer

If the Rh-negative mother's blood comes into contact with her baby's Rh-positive blood, she can develop antibodies that attack the baby's red blood cells, leading to hemolysis and jaundice in the baby. This is known as Rh disease or hemolytic disease of the newborn. Low birth weight, umbilical cord abnormalities, and cardiac abnormalities are not typically associated with Rh disease.

Question 14

In the intrinsic clotting pathway,what vitamin is necessary to achieve adequate clotting?

Accepted Answer

Vitamin K is necessary for the production of several clotting factors in the intrinsic pathway. Specifically, Vitamin K is used to modify the clotting factors II, VII, IX, and X, which then go on to activate downstream factors in the pathway. Without adequate Vitamin K, clotting may be impaired, leading to bleeding disorders.

Question 15

The nurse concludes that a client's white blood cell count is within normal limits if the values falls within which of the following ranges?

Accepted Answer

A normal white blood cell count is typically within the range of 5000 to 9000 per cubic milliliter. Choices A, B, and D are outside of this range and would indicate an abnormal white blood cell count.

Question 16

A client with type A blood requires a transfusion of packed red blood cells.The nurse understands that this client could receive a unit of blood of which of the following types?

Accepted Answer

A client with type A blood can receive blood from donors with type A or type O blood. This is because type O blood has neither A nor B antigens on its surface, making it compatible with type A blood recipients who have antibodies against B antigens. However, the client cannot receive blood from donors with type B or AB blood, as both have the B antigen present on their red blood cells.

Quiz 29: Overview of the Blood