Final answer:
The most appropriate nursing actions for a postpartum woman with a high WBC count but no signs of infection are to monitor for signs of infection, encourage ambulation, and notify the healthcare provider. Antibiotics should not be administered without evidence of an infection.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question relates to the appropriate nursing actions for a postpartum woman who has an elevated white blood cell (WBC) count of 17,000 but is afebrile and shows no signs or symptoms of infection. Given the information, the most appropriate nursing actions are:
- Monitor for signs of infection: as the patient is currently afebrile and without symptoms, ongoing observation is necessary to ensure that if an infection does develop, it can be detected and managed promptly.
- Encourage ambulation: getting the patient to move can help with circulation and may decrease the risk of complications such as thrombophlebitis, which can improve overall recovery.
- Notify the healthcare provider: although not indicative of infection at this time, the elevated WBC count should still be reported to the healthcare provider as part of proper monitoring and care.
Administering broad-spectrum antibiotics without any signs of infection is not indicated. Antibiotics are typically prescribed based on the identification of an etiological agent and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.