Question

While caring for a client's postoperative dressing, the nurse observes purulent drainage at the wound. Before reporting this finding to the healthcare provider, the nurse should review which of the client's laboratory values?

Answer 1

The nurse should review the client's laboratory values, such as the white blood cell count and C-reactive protein level, to assess the severity of infection when observing purulent drainage at a postoperative wound. Additionally, a wound culture may be obtained to identify the specific bacteria causing the infection.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a nurse observes purulent drainage at a postoperative wound, it indicates the presence of infection. Before reporting this finding to the healthcare provider, the nurse should review the client's laboratory values to assess the severity of the infection.

Relevant laboratory values include the white blood cell count (WBC), which would be elevated in the presence of infection, and the C-reactive protein (CRP) level, which rises during inflammatory responses. Additionally, a wound culture may be obtained to identify the specific bacteria causing the infection.