Final answer:
The nurse would likely suspect elevated eosinophils in the client's laboratory reports, as eosinophils are white blood cells involved in allergic responses such as hay fever, where symptoms include a runny, stuffy nose and itchy, watery eyes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The client who is exposed to pollens and reports symptoms such as a runny, stuffy nose and itchy, watery eyes, and has swollen and pink nasal mucosa is likely experiencing allergic rhinitis, commonly known as hay fever. This is an immune system reaction to harmless substances like pollen.
When examining the laboratory reports of a client with these symptoms, the nurse suspects the presence of elevated eosinophils. Eosinophils are a type of white blood cells that play a crucial role in the body's allergic responses and asthma. During an allergic reaction, eosinophils are recruited to the site of inflammation, releasing mediators that contribute to the symptoms of allergies.
Antihistamines are often effective in reducing allergy symptoms because they counteract the effects of histamines, which are released from mast cells during an allergic reaction. Eosinophils, along with other leukocytes such as basophils, are involved in the late-phase reactions that cause more prolonged symptoms like swelling, redness, and nasal discharge.