A 69-year-old patient was diagnosed with lung cancer. He is receiving chemotherapy and the nurse caring for him reviewed the laboratory results showing a platelet count is 18,000/mm³ and a pH of 7.36. Which of the following measures would the nurse implement based on the laboratory result?

Explanation

•Normal platelet count is 150,000 - 400,000/mm³. Bleeding precautions should be implemented with a platelet count below 50,000/mm³.

•Patients receiving chemotherapy are at risk for thrombocytopenia. Bleeding precautions include avoiding anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications, using an electric razor, stool softeners to prevent straining, and avoiding dental floss.

•When a patient has a respiratory infection that can be transmitted through the airborne route, that patient is placed on respiratory isolation.

•Reverse isolation is done when the patient is severely immunocompromised and must be protected from infection.

•Contact isolation is initiated in a patient who has drainage from wounds that is infectious.

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