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?

Option 1:
Elevated white blood cell count.

Option 2:
Decreased blood glucose levels.

Option 3:
Increased hemoglobin levels.

Option 4:
Low serum albumin levels.

Answer 1

Low serum albumin levels in a laboratory result for a client with a pressure injury indicate a risk for impaired wound healing due to poor nutritional status.

Step-by-step explanation:

When reviewing laboratory results for a client with a pressure injury to assess the risk of impaired wound healing, you should be concerned with several factors. An elevated white blood cell count could indicate an infection, which is a common complication of pressure injuries. However, increased hemoglobin levels are generally not associated with impaired wound healing. Conversely, low serum albumin levels can indeed be indicative of poor nutritional status, which is a known risk factor for impaired wound healing. Decreased blood glucose levels are generally not as concerning in wound healing as hyperglycemia, which can increase the risk of infections and delay recovery.