Three myeloproliferative neoplasms: An overview.

A group of rare hematologic cancers, myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) evolve when bone marrow dysfunction causes overproduction of one or more blood cell types. This article explores the diagnosis, treatment, and nursing care of patients diagnosed with one of three classic MPNs: essential thrombocythemia, polycythemia vera, and primary myelofibrosis.

Who needs a therapeutic phlebotomy?

Many oncology practices treat patients with benign and malignant hematologic diagnoses. As a result, oncology nurses often are required to care for these patients. One common procedure nurses perform is therapeutic phlebotomy, where about 500 ml of blood is removed through a large-bore needle over 15-30 minutes. The procedure is ordered as a treatment for hereditary hemochromatosis, polycythemia vera, and secondary polycythemia. Before initiating the procedure, nurses must be aware of a patient's diagnosis, baseline hemoglobin, hematocrit, ferritin, and therapeutic end points. Reviewing these diagnoses will help nurses understand why phlebotomy is an important part of treatment.