Question

The nurse reviews the laboratory findings of a client with an open fracture of the tibia. The white blood cell (WBC) count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) are elevated. Before reporting this information to the healthcare provider, what assessment should the nurse obtain?

Answer 1

The nurse should obtain an assessment of the client's symptoms and physical findings related to the open fracture before reporting the elevated white blood cell count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate to the healthcare provider.

Step-by-step explanation:

Before reporting the elevated white blood cell count (WBC) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) to the healthcare provider, the nurse should obtain an assessment of the client's symptoms and physical findings related to the open fracture of the tibia. This assessment would help determine if the elevated WBC count and ESR are indicative of an infection or another underlying condition. The nurse may assess for local signs of infection such as redness, swelling, and warmth at the site of the fracture, as well as systemic signs of infection such as fever, chills, and increased pain.