Question

A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client who has a pressure injury. Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the client is at risk for impaired wound healing?

a.Hgb 15 g/dL
b.Albumin 3.0 g/dL
c.Prothrombin time 11.5 seconds
d.WBC 6,000/mm3

Answer 1

Option B). An albumin level of 3.0 g/dL in a patient with a pressure injury suggests a risk for impaired wound healing, likely due to malnutrition or chronic disease.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse is examining a client's laboratory results who has sustained a pressure injury. An albumin level of 3.0 g/dL among the results should alert the nurse to the possibility of poor wound healing for the patient. The blood protein known as albumin is necessary for both osmotic pressure maintenance and substance transportation. As a protein that carries nutrients to the cells and maintains osmotic pressure, albumin is essential for wound healing. The body's capacity to repair wounds may be hampered by chronic disease or malnutrition, which can both be indicated by low albumin levels (<3.5 g/dL).