Question

While caring for a pt post operative dressing, the nurse observes purulent drainage at the wound. Before reporting this finding to the provider, the nurse should review which of the pt lab values?

Answer 1

The nurse should review the patient's white blood cell count (WBC) alongside other markers of infection such as blood cultures before reporting purulent drainage at a wound site to the provider.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a nurse observes purulent drainage at the wound, it is essential to review the patient's lab values, particularly those related to infection. Before reporting to the provider, the nurse should check the white blood cell count (WBC), as an elevated count could indicate an infection.

Additional laboratory tests that might be reviewed include blood cultures for bacterial growth and other markers of infection such as C-reactive protein (CRP). However, the WBC count is the most commonly used laboratory test to track infection or inflammation in the body.