Question

A client's blood work shows an anemia that was not present at the last clinic visit 6 months ago. Which questions should the nurse ask this client? Select all that apply.

1. "Have you had a significant dietary change in the last 6 months?"
2. "Do you handle chemicals in your new job?"
3. "Have your stools changed in appearance?"
4. "Have you been eating more carbohydrates than usual?"
5. "Are your menstrual periods heavier than normal for you?"

Answer 1

When investigating new onset anemia in a client, a nurse should inquire about significant dietary changes, exposure to chemicals at work, changes in stool appearance, and the heaviness of menstrual periods, to identify potential causes such as nutritional deficiencies, chemical exposures, gastrointestinal bleeding, or heavy menstruation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The subject of this question is Medicine, specifically related to nursing care and diagnosis of anemia. When a client's blood work shows an anemia that was not present at the last clinic visit 6 months ago, the nurse should consider various possible causes. The most relevant questions that could shed light on potential reasons for the new onset of anemia include:

• "Have you had a significant dietary change in the last 6 months?"
• "Do you handle chemicals in your new job?"
• "Have your stools changed in appearance?"
• "Are your menstrual periods heavier than normal for you?"

These questions are crucial because they can lead to the identification of underlying issues such as nutritional deficiencies, potential exposure to harmful substances, the occurrence of gastrointestinal bleeding, or heavy menstrual bleeding, all of which can induce anemia. It is less relevant to ask about carbohydrate intake as it does not typically influence anemia.