During treatment of the patient with an acute exacerbation of polycythemia vera, a critical action by the nurse is to

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Monitoring hydration status is important during an acute exacerbation because the patient is at risk for fluid overload or underhydration. Problems with tissue oxygenation in polycythemia vera are due to increased blood viscosity and poor perfusion, not to poor oxygen saturation. (Oxygen is useful in secondary polycythemia.) The patient should be encouraged to ambulate to prevent DVT. Iron is contraindicated for polycythemia vera.

During Treatment of the Patient with an Acute Exacerbation of Polycythemia