Question

The nurse reviews the laboratory results of a client with trigeminal neuralgia who is being treated with carbamazepine 400 mg orally daily. The client's white blood cell (WBC) count is 3000 cells/mm3, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) is 15 mg/dL, sodium is 140 mEq/L, and uric acid is 5 ng/dL. Which laboratory result should the nurse report to the primary health care provider?

A. WBC count of 3000 cells/mm3
B. BUN of 15 mg/dL
C. Sodium of 140 mEq/L
D. Uric acid of 5 ng/dL

Answer 1

The WBC count of 3000 cells/mm³ should be reported to the healthcare provider because it indicates leukopenia, which can be a serious side effect of carbamazepine and may increase infection risk or suggest bone marrow suppression.

Step-by-step explanation:

The laboratory result that should be reported to the primary healthcare provider is the WBC count of 3000 cells/mm³. This value is significantly below the normal range (typically around 4,500 to 11,000 cells/mm³), suggesting leukopenia which can be a side effect of carbamazepine. The BUN of 15 mg/dL, sodium of 140 mEq/L and uric acid of 5 ng/dL are within normal limits and should not raise immediate concerns. The low WBC count could indicate an increased risk of infection or could be a sign of bone marrow suppression, a known side effect of carbamazepine therapy.