The nurse is caring for a patient with thalassemia major. What body appearance is associated with thalassemia major?

Explanation

•As bone marrow becomes hyperactive, this results in the characteristic change in the shape of the skull (parietal and frontal bossing) and protrusion of the upper teeth, with marked malocclusion.

•Thalassemia major is a beta chain hemoglobin defect, symptoms do not become apparent until the child’s fetal hemoglobin has largely been replaced by adult hemoglobin during the second half of the first year of life.

•Hypogonadism, pallor, and a protruding abdomen due to hepatomegaly are likely to occur.

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