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The nurse is evaluating the laboratory test results of a 7-year-old child with a suspected hematologic disorder. Which finding would cause the nurse to be concerned?

A) WBC: 5.6 103/mm3
B) RBC: 3.2 106/mm3
C) Hemoglobin: 11.4 mg/dL
D) Hematocrit: 35%

User Snapshoe
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Final answer:

A 7-year-old child's blood test showing a red blood cell count (RBC) of 3.2 106/mm3 would be concerning for a nurse evaluating for a hematologic disorder, as it is lower than the normal range and may indicate anemia or another condition affecting RBC production.

Step-by-step explanation:

The laboratory test result that would cause a nurse to be concerned for a 7-year-old child with a suspected hematologic disorder is B) RBC: 3.2 106/mm3. This is because the normal range for red blood cells (RBC) is typically higher. For example, in children aged 6-12 years, the expected range is approximately 4.0-5.2 106/mm3. An RBC count of 3.2 106/mm3 indicates that the child might have anemia, which is a condition characterized by a lower-than-normal number of red blood cells and can lead to symptoms like fatigue and pallor. Other results provided, including WBC (white blood cells), hemoglobin, and hematocrit, are within normal ranges for a child of that age or do not indicate an immediate concern as does the low RBC count.

Anemia in children can result from various factors, including iron deficiency, which is common in young children and can be a concern for those on strict diets like veganism without proper supplementation. It could also indicate an underlying condition that affects RBC production. Therefore, this result would likely lead to further investigation to determine the cause of the low RBC count.

User Carl Lindberg
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