A Nurse's Teaching on Controlling Minor Bleeding in Hemophilia Patients

What is an important point to consider when teaching a parent of a child with hemophilia how to control a minor bleeding episode?

a) Applying pressure to the wound using a clean cloth

b) Using a bandage to cover the wound tightly

c) Elevating the injured area to reduce bleeding

d) Administering over-the-counter aspirin for pain relief

Answer:

The incorrect statement that indicates the need for further teaching is that the parent would administer over-the-counter aspirin for pain relief as aspirin can worsen bleeding in hemophiliacs.

When a nurse is teaching a parent of a child who has hemophilia how to control a minor bleeding episode, there are specific steps to be followed. The statement by the parent indicating a need for further teaching is, "I'll administer over-the-counter aspirin for pain relief." Aspirin is an antiplatelet medication, which can exacerbate bleeding in a hemophiliac by interfering with platelet function. The correct responses are to apply pressure using a clean cloth, elevate the injured area to reduce bleeding, and ensure bandages are not too tight which could cause further injury.

Regarding the cell signaling during wound healing, hemophilia interferes with the process by causing a delay and prevention of the cell signal required for wound healing, as the blood lacks sufficient clotting factors for platelets to form an adequate clot. This has significant implications for post-injury management in hemophiliac patients, indicating a need for special care and consideration to avoid complications such as hemorrhage, where blood loss cannot be managed by hemostatic mechanisms alone and may require medical intervention.