A 62-year old man with chronic anemia is experiencing increased ...

[NClaborn]

A 62-year old man with chronic anemia is experiencing increased fatigue and occasional palpitations at rest. The nurse would expect the patient's laboratory findings to include
 
  a. a hematocrit (Hct) of 38.
  b. an RBC count of 4,500,000/L.
  c. normal red blood cell (RBC) indices.
  d. a hemoglobin (Hgb) of 8.6 g/dL (86 g/L).

Question 2

Which information shown in the accompanying figure about a patient who has just arrived in the emergency department is most urgent for the nurse to communicate to the health care provider?
 
  a. Platelet count
  b. White blood cell count
  c. History of abdominal pain
  d. Blood pressure and heart rate

[momo1250]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
The patient's clinical manifestations indicate moderate anemia, which is consistent with a Hgb of 6 to 10 g/dL. The other values are all within the range of normal.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
The platelet count is severely decreased and places the patient at risk for spontaneous bleeding. The other information is also pertinent, but not as indicative of the need for rapid treatment as the platelet count.