Question

A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client who has a pressure injury. Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the client is at risk for impaired wound healing?

A) Elevated white blood cell count
B) Decreased C-reactive protein
C) Low serum albumin levels
D) Increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate

Answer 1

Low serum albumin levels in a client with a pressure injury are indicative of an increased risk for impaired wound healing due to poor nutritional status, which is essential for proper wound recovery.

Step-by-step explanation:

Among the given laboratory findings, low serum albumin levels should indicate to the nurse that the client is at risk for impaired wound healing. Serum albumin is an important protein in the blood that is responsible for maintaining osmotic pressure and is also a carrier for various substances. Low levels of serum albumin can indicate poor nutritional status, which is essential for wound healing. An elevated white blood cell count may suggest an infection, but it does not specifically indicate impaired wound healing. A decreased C-reactive protein suggests that there is no acute inflammation, which is normally expected as part of the healing process, but does not directly imply impaired healing. On the other hand, an increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) suggests inflammation, which might be due to an infection or another cause, but ESR alone does not specifically point toward impaired wound healing.