Final answer:
The best nursing intervention to prevent complications in a patient with a low platelet count is all of the above: administering IV fluids, encouraging increased oral fluid intake, and closely monitoring the platelet count. Each strategy helps in maintaining the patient's hydration and electrolyte balance, and in adjusting treatment to prevent complications.
Step-by-step explanation:
Nursing Interventions for Low Platelet Count
A nursing intervention to prevent complications in a patient with a low platelet count could include multiple strategies. Given the options listed:
- Administer IV fluids to maintain hydration is a correct intervention as it helps maintain the proper osmotic pressure and electrolyte balance, which is crucial for patients, especially if they are not able to maintain adequate fluid intake orally.
- Encouraging the patient to increase their oral fluid intake is also beneficial unless they are contraindicated to take fluids orally. Hydration is key to ensuring that the blood volume is maintained and that the platelets present can function optimally.
- Monitoring the patient's platelet count closely is a direct intervention related to the condition and is essential to prevent complications by adjusting treatment as needed when the platelet count is particularly low.
Therefore, the correct answer is D) All of the above. Each component plays a role in the prevention of complications such as bleeding and infection, which are risks associated with thrombocytopenia (low platelet count).