Chapter 32, Caring for Clients With Disorders of the Lymphatic System

1.The family nurse practitioner is performing a physical assessment on a client with a suspected lymphatic disorder. What would be the nurse practitioner's primary assessment for all clients with lymphatic disorders? A) Fever and sore throat B) Painful joints C) Signs of leukopenia and thrombocytopenia D) Enlargement of the lymph glands Ans: D Feedback: Most of the disorders related to the lymph glands cause an inflammation of the lymph nodes. As a result, the nurse should assess the extent of enlargement of the lymph glands in a client suspected of a lymphatic disorder. Fever and sore throat are the secondary signs and symptoms in such disorders. These clients do not complain of painful joints or exhibit signs of leukopenia and thrombocytopenia. 2.A client has just been admitted to your unit with a diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease. When doing the initial assessment, what pertinent questions should the nurse ask the client to help determine the correct nursing diagnosis? A) Are you experiencing fever, chills, or night sweats? B) Do you use artificial respirators? C) Have you ever had a blood transfusion? D) Have you ever experienced fractures? Ans: A Feedback: In a client with Hodgkin's disease, the nurse should ask how long the client has noticed the enlarged lymph nodes. The nurse checks for the presence and the extent of tenderness in the area of the lymph node enlargement. The nurse should also ask the client about fever, chills, or night sweats. It is not pertinent to ask the client about any previous history of fractures, the use of artificial respirators, or any blood transfusions. 3.Your client is receiving chemotherapy for a diagnosis of lymphosarcoma. The client experiences nausea. What measures should the nurse suggest to help the client reduce the feeling of nausea? A) Administer immunosuppressive drugs. B) Apply ice to the skin for brief periods. C) Offer clear liquids such as carbo