Question

A client is receiving sulfonamide cream as topical treatment for burns. When reviewing the daily laboratory tests, the nurse notices that the client's white blood cell (WBC) count has decreased. The nurse reviews the data and determines that:

A. tt is normal to have this response from immunosuppression.

B. this is normal; an increased WBC would be a concern.

C. this is abnormal; the health care provider needs to be alerted.

D. the WBC count should be observed over several days to look for a trend.

Answer 1

A decreased WBC count in a burn patient treated with sulfonamide cream is concerning and it is essential to alert the health care provider immediately. This could signify an adverse drug reaction or an infection, which requires prompt action due to the increased risk of infection in burn patients.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a client who is receiving sulfonamide cream for burn treatment has a decreased white blood cell (WBC) count, this finding is concerning and suggestive of leukopenia, which may be caused by the medication or an underlying infection. It is not normal and could indicate an adverse drug reaction or an evolving infection. Since a drop in WBC count can leave a patient more susceptible to infection, especially in the context of burns which are already prone to infection, it is crucial to alert the health care provider promptly. The provider can then determine the cause of the leukopenia, whether additional diagnostic tests are needed, and if there should be a change in the patient's treatment plan. This response is particularly critical for someone in a vulnerable state such as after sustaining burns. Monitoring the WBC count over several days for trends could also be beneficial, but this should be done after first notifying the health care provider of the initial abnormal finding.