Question

By knowing about variations in infants' blood count, nurses can explain to their clients that:

a. A somewhat lower than expected red blood cell count could be the result of delay in clamping the umbilical cord.
b. The early high white blood cell (WBC) count is normal at birth and should decrease rapidly.
c. Platelet counts are higher than in adults for a few months.
d. Even a modest vitamin K deficiency means a problem with the ability of the blood to clot properly.

Answer 1

The early high white blood cell (WBC) count is normal at birth and should decrease rapidly.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer is b. The early high white blood cell (WBC) count is normal at birth and should decrease rapidly. At birth, infants have a high WBC count, which is a normal response to the stress of birth. This high count helps protect the newborn against potential infections in the early days of life.

However, this elevated count should decrease rapidly within the first few days as the baby adapts to the outside environment. If the WBC count stays consistently high or continues to rise after the first few days, it could indicate an infection or other underlying medical condition that requires further medical attention.