Question

An appropriate nursing intervention for a patient whose platelet count drops to 18,000/µL during chemotherapy is to

a. check all stools for occult blood.
b. encourage fluids to 3000 mL/day.
c. provide oral hygiene every 2 hours.
d. check the temperature every 4 hours.

Answer 1

The correct nursing intervention for a patient with a reduced platelet count during chemotherapy is to check stools for occult blood. This helps monitor for internal bleeding, a critical complication of thrombocytopenia caused by chemotherapy treatment.

Step-by-step explanation:

An appropriate nursing intervention for a patient whose platelet count drops to 18,000/µL during chemotherapy is to check all stools for occult blood. This intervention is essential because a low platelet count can contribute to bleeding issues and checking stools for occult blood can help monitor for any signs of internal bleeding, which is a critical complication in patients with thrombocytopenia due to chemotherapy. Other management strategies for a low platelet count can include transfusions of platelets, avoiding activities that increase bleeding risk, and using medications to boost platelet production or function.