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) Increased red blood cell count
B) Elevated white blood cell count
C) Decreased platelet count
D) Normal electrolyte levels

Answer 1

An elevated white blood cell count is an indication of a potential complication in the postoperative school-age child.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should identify an elevated white blood cell count as an indication of a potential complication in the school-age child who is 1 week postoperative following an open fracture repair. An elevated white blood cell count, known as leukocytosis, can suggest an infection or inflammatory response. In this case, it may indicate an infection at the surgical site or elsewhere in the body.