(^192) Medical-Surgical Nursing Demystified
NURSING INTERVENTION
- Monitor for bleeding—platelet count may be decreased.
- Monitor for infection—patients have increased susceptibility to infection.
- Monitor pain control.
- Small, frequent meals.
- Teach patients about infection control:
- Avoid others with infection.
- Report signs of infection, sore throat, fevers, etc.
- Explain to the patient:
- Use an electric razor.
- Use soft toothbrush.
- Watch for bleeding or bruising.
Multiple Myeloma
WHAT WENT WRONG?
A malignancy of the plasma cells causes an excessive amount of plasma cells in
the bone marrow. Masses within the bone marrow cause destructive lesions in the
bone. Normal bone marrow function is reduced as the abnormal plasma cells con-
tinue to grow. Immune function is diminished and the patient develops anemia.
The disease typically affects older adults.PROGNOSIS
Patients are susceptible to infection and often have significant pain from bone
involvement of the disease. The survival time from diagnosis averages about 3 years.HALLMARK SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
- Severe bone pain due to involvement in back or ribs
- Anemia due to invasion of the bone marrow
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