Multiple myeloma

Etiology / Pathophysiology

• Malignant plasma cells produce abnormal monoclonal protein.
• Plasma cell proliferation damages bone marrow and bone, causing anemia, lytic lesions, hypercalcemia, renal injury, and infection risk.

Medications

No specific medication class was seeded for this card.

Nursing actions

• Assess bone pain, fractures, fatigue, infection signs, renal function, hydration, and hypercalcemia symptoms.
• Use fall/fracture precautions and monitor kidney labs.
• Teach hydration as ordered, infection reporting, and avoiding injury with bone disease.

Complications

• Pathologic fractures
• Hypercalcemia
• Renal failure
• Anemia
• Infections

NCLEX cues

• Bone pain plus anemia and high calcium.
• Renal protection matters.
• Back pain with neuro deficits can mean spinal cord compression.

Memory hooks

• Myeloma: marrow, bones, calcium, kidneys.

Labs / Diagnostics

• CBC
• Calcium
• Creatinine
• Serum/urine protein electrophoresis
• Skeletal imaging
• Bone marrow biopsy

Review notes

• Supplemental wife-requested study card. Use for NCLEX review only and verify against school materials, ATI/NCLEX review sources, current orders, and facility policy.