Question

A nurse is caring for a client who is post-operative following a total hip arthroplasty. Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse report to the provider?

A. Serum potassium level of 4.0 mEq/L
B. Hemoglobin level of 12 g/dL
C. White blood cell count of 8,000/mm^3
D. Platelet count of 250,000/mm^3

Answer 1

The nurse should report a white blood cell count of 8,000/mm³ to the provider as it can indicate infection or inflammation after surgery.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should report a white blood cell count of 8,000/mm³ to the provider. This value is within the normal range, but it is still important to monitor as it can indicate infection or inflammation after surgery.

An increased white blood cell count may suggest the presence of infection, which would require further investigation and treatment.