When doing discharge teaching for a patient who has had an emergency splenectomy following an automobile accident, the nurse will teach the patient about the increased risk for a. infection. b. lymphedema. c. chronic anemia. d. prolonged bleeding. - A 2. While obtaining a health history from a patient with numerous petechiae on the skin, the nurse asks the patient specifically about the patients use of a. salicylates. b. contraceptives. c. antiseizure drugs. d. antihypertensives. - A; salicylates interfere with platelet function and can lead to petechiae and ecchymoses. The nurse who is reviewing laboratory data for an 86-year-old patient will be most concerned about a. a white blood cell (WBC) count of 3500/mL. b. a hematocrit of 37%. c. a platelet count of 400,000/mL. d. a hemoglobin of 11.8 g/dL. - A; slight decrease in hemoglobin and hematocrit are not unusual for an older patient. When caring for a patient with a chronic iron deficiency anemia, the nurse will assess for a. yellow-tinged sclerae. b. shiny, smooth tongue. c. numbness of the extremities.