Question

The nurse is reviewing the postpartum mother's cbc at 24 hours after delivery, and notes a wbc count of 15,000 mm3. what action should the nurse take?

Answer 1

The nurse should let the attending physician know immediately because of a high WBC count, above the normal range, means that there can be an infection secondary to childbirth, and possibly acquired from the hospital. 

Answer 2

Elevated WBC count is normal for postpartum mothers as within 24 hours. The nurse should just note it in the records and observe changes. High WBC only is an indicator of infection if it does not normalize within 7 days.

The nurse will inform the doctor and order an antibiotic as there is increased in the number of WBC count, it indicates that there is some sort of infection which is acquired from the hospital. Because the level of white blood cell increases only in case of infection, stress, inflammation, allergy or in a certain type of diseases.

The patient should be immediately checked for the causative agent of infection and according to that doctor should give antibiotic to treat the infection.