RN HESI Pharmacology Exam
RN HESI Pharmacology Exam ( 31 Questions)
To prevent deep vein thromboses following knee replacement surgery, an adult male client is receiving daily subcutaneous enoxaparin. Which laboratory result requires immediate action by the nurse?
Reference Range:
Hematocrit [42% to 52% (0.42 to 0.52 volume fraction)]
Platelets [150,000 to 400,000/mm² (150 to 400 × 10^9/L)]
Creatinine [0.5 to 1.1 mg/dL (44 to 97 μmol/L)]
Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) [10 to 20 mg/dL (3.6 to 7.1 mmol/L)]
Platelet count of 100,000/mm³ (100 x 10^9/L) is below the normal range and indicates thrombocytopenia, which is a decrease in the number of platelets in the blood. Thrombocytopenia can increase the risk of bleeding and bruising, and can be a serious adverse effect of enoxaparin. This laboratory result requires immediate action by the nurse, such as notifying the prescriber, monitoring for signs of bleeding, and withholding the next dose of enoxaparin.
Hematocrit 45% (0.45 volume fraction) is within the normal range and does not indicate any problem with the client's red blood cells or oxygen-carrying capacity.
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) 20 mg/dL (7.1 mmol/L) is within the normal range and does not indicate any problem with the client's kidney function or hydration status.
Serum creatinine 1.0 mg/dL (88.4 μmol/L) is within the normal range and does not indicate any problem with the client's kidney function or muscle metabolism.
Choice A reason: Platelet count of 100,000/mm³ (100 x 10^9/L) is below the normal range and indicates thrombocytopenia, which is a decrease in the number of platelets in the blood. Thrombocytopenia can increase the risk of bleeding and bruising, and can be a serious adverse effect of enoxaparin. This laboratory result requires immediate action by the nurse, such as notifying the prescriber, monitoring for signs of bleeding, and withholding the next dose of enoxaparin.
Choice B reason: Hematocrit 45% (0.45 volume fraction) is within the normal range and does not indicate any problem with the client's red blood cells or oxygen-carrying capacity.
Choice C reason: Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) 20 mg/dL (7.1 mmol/L) is within the normal range and does not indicate any problem with the client's kidney function or hydration status.
Choice D reason: Serum creatinine 1.0 mg/dL (88.4 μmol/L) is within the normal range and does not indicate any problem with the client's kidney function or muscle metabolism.