A patient with lung cancer has a platelet count of 19,000/μL. Which action should the nurse take to prevent bleeding?

In the context of a patient with lung cancer and a critically low platelet count of 19,000/μL, the priority action for the nurse is to avoid invasive procedures. A platelet count this low significantly increases the risk of bleeding and complications from minor injuries or procedures. Invasive procedures, such as venipunctures, catheter insertions, or surgical interventions, can result in hemorrhage due to the inability of the blood to clot properly. Therefore, minimizing the risk of any intervention that could lead to bleeding is paramount in managing the safety of patients with thrombocytopenia.

While monitoring vital signs continuously is an important nursing responsibility, it does not actively prevent bleeding. Administering a platelet transfusion could be a consideration in some cases to increase the platelet count, but this action is typically not the first line of defense in preventing bleeding when a patient presents with such a low count. Encouraging frequent exercise is generally discouraged in patients with low platelet counts, as it can increase the risk of falls and injuries, leading to potential bleeding complications. Thus, avoiding invasive procedures is the safest and most effective action to protect the patient from injury related to their low platelet levels.