Exam 8: Laboratory Values and Diagnostics

An older woman with breast cancer has completed a course of external radiation and is receiving chemotherapy. After her recent chemotherapy treatment, she complains of severe weakness, dizziness, and lethargy and is admitted to the hospital. Her platelet count is 45,000. Based on this scenario, what nursing intervention is of the highest priority?

A 78-year-old female patient was recently diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and started on Coumadin (warfarin) for stroke prophylaxis. A nurse provides extensive education on warfarin including the need for routine blood testing. The woman states the following to a nurse: "I understand all that you have taught me, but I do not know what a good number for the INR test is." The nurse bases her response on the knowledge that the recommended INR is:

An elderly man is brought to the geriatrics clinic by his wife because of his increasing confusion. As part of his medical workup, the nurse practitioner orders which of the following laboratory tests? (Select all that apply.)

An older client in a long-term care facility is receiving an annual physical examination and is ordered laboratory tests that include a complete blood count, serum electrolytes, and thyroid tests. When the client's son questions why these tests are being ordered by saying, "Dad is 85 why are you bothering him?" the nurse's response is based on an understanding that:

When a client asks, "What could be causing my triglycerides to be so low; I'm really careful about my diet?" the nurse responds by asking the client: (Select all that apply.)

When asked by an older adult client, "What is the difference between my normal laboratory values and the ones for a 55-year-old?" The nurse responds based on the understanding that there are:

A 69-year-old patient in the geriatric clinic has an annual physical examination and a complete blood count and serum electrolytes are drawn. While the physical examination was uneventful, the laboratory results show an elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN). The nurse will then:

The nurse is reviewing the postsurgical laboratory values of an older adult client. The client's erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is 20 mm/hr. The nurse initially responds to this data by:

An older woman asks a nurse in the cardiology practice, "What is the ideal number that my cholesterol levels should be? I am confused by all of the different numbers." The nurse formulates her response on the knowledge that:

An older resident of a long-term care facility diagnosed with dementia has in the last 48 hours become more confused than usual and while usually requiring help with toileting has been incontinent of urine. The client's health care provider orders a complete blood count and serum electrolytes. When the laboratory tests are all within normal limits, the nurse initially: