Question

While assisting with developing a plan of care for a patient with multiple myeloma, the nurse knows a priority intervention would include which of the following:

A) Regularly scheduled blood transfusions.
B) Promote rest and encourage high mobility.
C) Monitoring for hypercalcemia and renal function.
D) Ensuring a high-protein diet for nutritional balance.

Answer 1

The priority intervention in a plan of care for a patient with multiple myeloma is to monitor for hypercalcemia and renal function, due to the potential complications associated with the disease.

Step-by-step explanation:

While developing a plan of care for a patient with multiple myeloma, a priority intervention would include monitoring for hypercalcemia and renal function. This is because multiple myeloma can cause complications such as hypercalcemia due to the excessive release of calcium from affected bones and renal impairment due to the deposition of light chain proteins, known as Bence Jones proteins, in the kidneys. These lead to kidney damage, known as "cast nephropathy," and chronic renal failure may occur through different mechanisms. Therefore, monitoring for hypercalcemia and renal function is essential in managing the patient's condition effectively. While blood transfusions, rest with high mobility, and a high-protein diet are also important, they are not the priority interventions in relation to the specifics of multiple myeloma.