Author Question: A 68-year-old is admitted to the emergency department with a diagnosis of polycythemia vera (PV). A ... (Read 418 times)

HudsonKB16 · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

A 68-year-old is admitted to the emergency department with a diagnosis of polycythemia vera (PV). A nurse realizes the patient's symptoms are mainly the result of:

a. a decreased erythrocyte count.
b. rapid blood flow to the major organs.
c. increased blood viscosity.
d. vessel injury.

Question 2

A patient is admitted to the emergency department with a diagnosis of polycythemia vera (PV). Which treatment should the nurse discuss with the patient?

a. Therapeutic phlebotomy
b. Restoration of blood volume by plasma expanders
c. Administration of packed red blood cells
d. Iron replacement therapy

kjo;oj · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
The symptoms of PV are due to increased blood viscosity, the erythrocyte count is elevated, there will be decreased blood flow to tissues and organs but vessel injury does not occur.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Treatment of PV is phlebotomy to reduce red cell mass and blood volume; increasing blood volume will increase symptoms as will the administration of additional cells and iron replacement therapy.