Final answer:
The nurse should educate the client with polycythemia vera about the disease mechanism, increased blood viscosity, lifestyle adjustments, medical monitoring, and potential complications. Polycythemia vera should be distinguished from transient polycythemia due to dehydration or chronic cases for those living at high altitudes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Teaching Topics for Clients with Polycythemia Vera
When teaching a client who has been newly diagnosed with polycythemia vera, a nurse should focus on the following topics:
Understanding what polycythemia vera is: a type of bone marrow disease that leads to excessive production of immature erythrocytes (red blood cells).
Recognizing the increased blood viscosity and its implications such as raised blood pressure and increased difficulty for the heart to pump blood.
Lifestyle adjustments that may be necessary to manage the condition, including hydration, minimizing clot risk, and monitoring for symptoms of potential complications like dizziness, headaches, or visual changes.
The importance of regular medical check-ups to monitor hematocrit levels and assess the response to any treatments, such as phlebotomy or medication, to reduce red blood cell production.
Potential complications, such as blood clots or thrombosis, and strategies for prevention, including possible anticoagulant therapies.
Education should also cover the fact that polycythemia can be transient in cases of dehydration or chronic for individuals living at high altitudes. However, polycythemia vera is a rare condition, often found in males and typically diagnosed in individuals over the age of 60.