Question

A nurse is assessing a client who is postpartum and has idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP): True/ False Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

a) Decreased platelet count
b) Increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
c) Decreased megakaryocytes
d) Increased WBC

Answer 1

A postpartum client with Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) would typically exhibit a decreased platelet count and could have an increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), while findings related to megakaryocytes and WBC counts are not directly linked with ITP.

Step-by-step explanation:

Assessment of Postpartum Client with Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP)

Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) is a hematologic condition characterized by a low platelet count, which can affect patients both antepartum and postpartum. In assessing a postpartum client with ITP, a nurse would expect to find certain clinical and laboratory findings congruent with the disorder:

• Decreased platelet count: This is the hallmark of ITP, as the immune system inappropriately destroys platelets.
• Increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR): While an elevated ESR is a non-specific sign of inflammation and can be seen in ITP, it is not exclusive to this condition.
• Decreased megakaryocytes: Megakaryocytes are the precursors to platelets. In ITP, the number of megakaryocytes is typically normal or can be increased as the body tries to compensate for the low platelet count.
• Increased WBC: White blood cell (WBC) count might be normal or altered depending on the presence of infection or concurrent conditions but is not a typical finding in ITP.

Therefore, decreased platelet count (a) and potentially increased ESR (b) are findings a nurse might expect in a client with ITP, while the association with decreased megakaryocytes (c) and increased WBC (d) are not typical findings specific to ITP.