Question

A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a school age child who is 1 week postoperative following an open fracture repair. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as an indication of a potential complication?

a. erythrocyte sedimentation rate 10mm/hr
b. WBC count 6200/mm^3
c. c-reactive protein 1.4mg/L
d. RBC count 4.7 million/mm^3

Answer 1

The nurse should identify an erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) of 10mm/hr as an indication of a potential complication. The ESR is a measure of inflammation in the body, and an elevated ESR can indicate the presence of an infection or other inflammatory process.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should identify an erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) of 10mm/hr as an indication of a potential complication.

The ESR is a measure of inflammation in the body, and an elevated ESR can indicate the presence of an infection or other inflammatory process. In the case of a postoperative child, an elevated ESR could suggest a potential infection or delayed healing.

In contrast, the WBC count of 6200/mm^3 is within the normal range, indicating a stable white blood cell count. The c-reactive protein (CRP) level of 1.4mg/L is also within the normal range, suggesting no significant inflammation. The RBC count of 4.7 million/mm^3 is within the normal range as well, indicating no abnormality in red blood cell production.