Answer to Question 1
ANS: D
Decreased arterial oxygen saturation is characteristic of secondary polycythemia. Arterial oxygen saturation is normal in polycythemia vera. Decreased arterial oxygen saturation leads to hypoxia, resulting in increased production of erythropoietin. This stimulates the bone marrow to increase red cell production (erythroid hyperplasia), also found in polycythemia vera. This results in an increase in red cell mass, again also found in polycythemia vera, as is an increased white count.
Answer to Question 2
ANS: A
Thrombocytosis, or an elevated platelet count, is characteristically present in polycythemia vera. Polycythemia vera has an elevated red cell mass, so anemia is not present. The leukocyte alkaline phosphatase score and the white count are both elevated.
Sharing patient information with colleagues is an important nursing role
Building competency in patient centered care
Example of a patient statement.
A patient with goiter due to iodine deficiency.
Oral pseudo membraneous candidiasis in a patient with AIDS.