Which of the following blood types would the nurse identify as the rarest?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Blood type AB is the rarest of all the blood types. This is because individuals with AB blood type have both A and B antigens on their red blood cells, making it less common than other blood types. In the ABO blood group system, the distribution of blood types in the general population is approximately 45% type O, 40% type A, 11% type B, and only about 4% type AB. Therefore, blood type AB would be identified as the rarest in the given options.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that plays a crucial role in the body's immune system by helping to fight off infections and diseases. A decrease in the number of lymphocytes with age means that the immune system may not function as effectively as it used to. This can lead to a decreased resistance to infections, making older individuals more susceptible to illnesses and diseases. Therefore, the effect of a decrease in the number of lymphocytes with age is a decreased resistance to infection.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Patients who have undergone splenectomy are at risk for overwhelming postsplenectomy infection (OPSI) due to the absence of a functioning spleen, which is important in fighting certain types of infections, especially those caused by encapsulated bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae. Symptoms of OPSI can include fever, chills, weakness, and rapid breathing. Fever is a significant sign that alerts the nurse to the possibility of OPSI in a post-splenectomy patient, as it may indicate an infection that the body is struggling to fight without the spleen's immune support. This is a crucial symptom to monitor and act upon promptly to prevent serious complications in these individuals.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Using a 1 inch needle is the appropriate gauge needle for drawing up medication and injecting it. The length of the needle is important to ensure that the medication reaches the intended target area and is administered effectively. Shorter needles may not penetrate deep enough, while longer needles may increase the risk of complications such as injecting the medication into the wrong tissue or causing discomfort to the patient. Therefore, using a 1 inch needle is the correct choice for administering medication safely and accurately.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Lomustine (CeeNU) is typically administered intravenously (I.V.), making choice B the correct administration route. Lomustine is metabolized in the liver and excreted primarily through the kidneys via urine, which accounts for its urinary excretion. Therefore, the major administration route for lomustine is intravenous (I.V.) and the major excretion route is urinary.