Question

The nurse is caring for an African American client with immune thrombocytopenia. Which locations are best to monitor for the presence of petechiae?

a) Face and neck
b) Palms of the hands
c) Soles of the feet
d) Conjunctivae

Answer 1

For an African American patient with immune thrombocytopenia, the best location to monitor for petechiae is the conjunctivae of the eyes.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse is caring for an African American client with immune thrombocytopenia. This condition is characterized by a lower-than-normal number of platelets possibly leading to bleeding and the presence of petechiae, which are small red or purple dots caused by bleeding into the skin.

For African American patients, petechiae might be less visible due to skin pigmentation, but they can often be detected in areas where the skin is lighter, such as the conjunctivae of the eyes.

Hence, the best location to monitor for the presence of petechiae in this patient would be 'd) Conjunctivae'. It's essential for healthcare providers to recognize these subtle signs in patients with darker skin tones to ensure prompt and accurate diagnosis and treatment.