Question

The nurse determines that the patient may be suffering from an acute bacterial infection based upon which laboratory test result?

1. Increased platelet count
2. Increased blood urea nitrogen
3. Increased number of band neutrophils
4. Increased number of segmented myelocytes

Answer 1

The nurse determines that the patient may have an acute bacterial infection based on an increased number of band neutrophils. The correct answer is option 3.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse determines that the patient may be suffering from an acute bacterial infection based upon an increased number of band neutrophils. Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell that are among the first immune cells to arrive at the site of an infection, especially bacterial.

A blood test showing increased numbers of band neutrophils, which are immature neutrophils, suggests that the body is producing more of these cells to fight an infection. This is known as a 'left shift' and is indicative of an active bacterial infection.

The presence of band neutrophils is a more specific indicator of bacterial infection than increased platelet count, blood urea nitrogen, or segmented myelocytes. In clinical contexts such as a patient diagnosed with a urinary tract infection or bacterial meningitis, an elevated neutrophil count, especially band forms.