A nurse is caring for a client who is about to begin taking folic acid to treat megaloblastic anemia. The nurse should monitor which of the following laboratory values to determine therapeutic effectiveness?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Reticulocyte count. Reticulocytes are immature red blood cells. In megaloblastic anemia, there is a decrease in red blood cell production due to a deficiency in folic acid. Monitoring reticulocyte count helps determine if the folic acid treatment is increasing red blood cell production. A: Amylase level is not relevant to monitoring the effectiveness of folic acid in treating megaloblastic anemia. C: C-reactive protein is a marker for inflammation and not specific to monitoring anemia treatment. D: Creatinine clearance is used to assess kidney function, not the effectiveness of folic acid in treating anemia.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Rationale: Secondary neutropenia in adults is often a part of general pancytopenia, which involves a decrease in all three blood cell types. This can be caused by factors such as bone marrow suppression from chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or certain medications. Neutropenia is not typically congenital or familial in adults, and anti-hypertensive drugs are not commonly known to directly cause secondary neutropenia. Therefore, the correct answer is C as it aligns with the common etiology of secondary neutropenia in adults.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Pancytopenia. Aplastic anemia is characterized by a decrease in all blood cell types (red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets), leading to pancytopenia. This is due to bone marrow failure, resulting in decreased production of blood cells. Erythrocytosis (B) is an increase in red blood cells, which is the opposite of what is seen in aplastic anemia. Bone marrow hypercellularity (C) is not typically observed in aplastic anemia, as the bone marrow is usually hypocellular. Reticulocytosis (D) is an increase in immature red blood cells and is not a characteristic finding in aplastic anemia where there is decreased production of all blood cell types.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct term to describe hemoglobin that has given up its oxygen to the body's cells is "Reduced" (Choice A). This term refers to hemoglobin that has released its oxygen molecules and is now in a deoxygenated state. Rationale: 1. Hemoglobin binds to oxygen in the lungs (forming oxyhemoglobin). 2. When hemoglobin reaches the body's cells, it releases oxygen for cellular use. 3. Once hemoglobin releases oxygen, it becomes deoxygenated or "Reduced". Summary: - Choice B (Detached) does not accurately describe the process of oxygen release by hemoglobin. - Choice C (Oxyhemoglobin) refers to hemoglobin bound to oxygen, not hemoglobin that has released oxygen. - Choice D (Hypoxyhemoglobin) would refer to hemoglobin that has a reduced oxygen level, not hemoglobin that has given up its oxygen to the cells.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Clubbed fingertips. Clubbing is a sign of prolonged hypoxia due to chronic lung disease. It is characterized by enlargement and rounding of the fingertips. This occurs as a result of chronic hypoxia causing tissue changes in the fingers. Pallor (A) is a pale skin color often indicating decreased blood flow. Dyspnea (B) is difficulty breathing and can be an acute symptom of hypoxia. Pulmonary crackles (D) are abnormal lung sounds indicating fluid accumulation and are not specific to long-term hypoxia.