Chapter 34: Hematologic Problems Nursing Care

Students learn to recognize clinical manifestations like pallor, fatigue, and dyspnea while implementing therapeutic interventions including nutritional support, supplementation, and transfusion therapy. The chapter contrasts anemia with polycythemia vera and secondary polycythemia, explaining increased blood viscosity complications and phlebotomy management. Coagulation disorders receive detailed attention, covering thrombocytopenia from various etiologies including immune thrombocytopenic purpura and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, inherited bleeding disorders like hemophilia and von Willebrand disease, and the complex pathophysiology of disseminated intravascular coagulation involving microthrombi formation and clotting factor consumption. White blood cell disorders encompass neutropenia management with infection control protocols, myelodysplastic syndromes characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis, and comprehensive leukemia care covering acute myeloid leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and other variants. Lymphoid malignancies including Hodgkin lymphoma with Reed-Sternberg cells and diverse non-Hodgkin lymphomas are explored alongside multiple myeloma plasma cell disorders causing bone destruction and organ dysfunction. The chapter concludes with splenic disorders and splenectomy considerations, emphasizing lifelong infection risks and vaccination protocols, while integrating transfusion therapy principles throughout various conditions.