Final answer:
A nurse should report a neutrophil count of 1,200/mm³ to the healthcare provider before administering the next dose of paclitaxel, as this indicates neutropenia, which can increase the risk of infection and may necessitate treatment adjustments.
Step-by-step explanation:
The finding that a nurse should report to the healthcare provider before administering the next dose of paclitaxel to a client with ovarian cancer is a neutrophil count of 1,200/mm³. This value is important as paclitaxel, like other chemotherapy agents, can cause bone marrow suppression, leading to decreased white blood cell counts, including neutrophils. A low neutrophil count (<1,500/mm³), known as neutropenia, increases the risk of infection and can be a serious side effect that may require a delay in treatment or dosage adjustment.
Normal neutrophil counts are essential for a patient's immune response, and because chemotherapy can cause the destruction of leukocytes, which includes neutrophils, it is critical to monitor these cell levels closely. An absolute neutrophil count (ANC) that is too low can lead to the recommendation to postpone chemotherapy to allow the patient's cell counts to recover and reduce the risk of infection.