Question

A nurse is planning care for a 6-year-old child who is receiving chemotherapy. The child has a highlight platelet count of 20,000/mm³. Based on this laboratory value, which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan of care?

1) Administer platelet transfusion
2) Encourage physical activity
3) Increase fluid intake
4) Limit visitors

Answer 1

For a child on chemotherapy with a platelet count of 20,000/mm³, the primary nursing intervention should be administering a platelet transfusion to reduce bleeding risks. Other options like encouraging physical activity or increasing fluid intake are less relevant, and while limiting visitors can prevent infections, it's not primarily associated with thrombocytopenia.

Step-by-step explanation:

When taking care of a 6-year-old child receiving chemotherapy who has a platelet count of 20,000/mm³, the nurse should include administering a platelet transfusion in the plan of care. A platelet count this low (thrombocytopenia) significantly increases the risk of bleeding. Administering a platelet transfusion can help to restore platelet counts to safer levels, thereby reducing the risk of bleeding and improving hemostasis.

The nurse should not encourage physical activity due to the increased risk of injury and bleeding. While maintaining adequate hydration is important for patients on chemotherapy, increasing fluid intake is not directly related to addressing the low platelet count. Limiting visitors may be beneficial to reduce the risk of infection, but it is not the primary intervention related to thrombocytopenia.