Question

A nurse is providing follow-up care for a client who sustained a compound fracture 3 weeks ago. The nurse should recognize that an unexpected finding for which of the following laboratory values is a manifestation of osteomyelitis and should be reported to the provider?

a) Increased white blood cell count
b) Elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
c) Decreased C-reactive protein (CRP)
d) Normal alkaline phosphatase levels

Answer 1

An unexpected finding of osteomyelitis in a patient with a compound fracture is a decreased C-reactive protein (CRP) level, which should be reported to the provider.

Step-by-step explanation:

For a patient with a compound fracture, an unexpected finding of osteomyelitis would be a decreased C-reactive protein (CRP) level, which should be reported to the provider. Osteomyelitis is an infection in the bone, and a decrease in CRP indicates that the infection is not being effectively controlled. Other expected findings in osteomyelitis include increased white blood cell count, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and normal alkaline phosphatase levels.