In teaching parents how to minimize or prevent bleeding episodes when the child is myelosuppressed, the nurse includes what information?

In teaching parents how to minimize or prevent bleeding episodes when the child is myelosuppressed, the nurse includes what information?

a.
Meticulous mouth care is essential to avoid mucositis.
b.
Rectal temperatures are necessary to monitor for infection.
c.
Intramuscular injections are preferred to intravenous ones.
d.
Platelet transfusions are given to maintain a count greater than 50,000/mm3.

ANS: A

The decrease in blood platelets secondary to the myelosuppression of chemotherapy can cause an increase in bleeding. The child and family are taught how to perform good oral hygiene to minimize gingival bleeding and mucositis. Rectal temperatures are avoided to minimize the risk of ulceration. Hygiene is also emphasized. Intramuscular injections are avoided because of the risk of bleeding into the muscle and of infection. Platelet transfusions are usually not given unless there is active bleeding or the platelet count is less than 10,000/mm3. The use of platelets when not necessary can contribute to antibody formation and increased destruction of platelets when transfused.