A nurse is assessing a client who has been admitted with chest pain.

Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider immediately?

The client's chest x-ray shows clear lung fields.

Rationale: A chest x-ray is a diagnostic test that can confirm the presence or absence of pneumonia by showing areas of consolidation or infiltration in the lung tissue. A clear chest x-ray indicates resolution of pneumonia and effectiveness of treatment.

Incorrect options:

A) The client's temperature is 37.2°C (99°F). - This is a normal finding, but it does not rule out pneumonia as some clients may have low-grade fever or no fever at all with pneumonia.

B) The client's white blood cell count is 12.5 x 10^9/L. - This is an elevated finding, as the normal range for white blood cell count is 4.5 to 11 x 10^9/L. An elevated white blood cell count indicates inflammation or infection and does not reflect the effectiveness of treatment.

C) The client's oxygen saturation is 95% on room air. - This is a normal finding, as the normal range for oxygen saturation is 95% to 100%. However, it does not indicate the severity or resolution of pneumonia, as some clients may have normal oxygen saturation despite having pneumonia.

D) The client has an elevated troponin level in the blood.

Rationale: An elevated troponin level indicates myocardial damage and is a diagnostic marker for acute coronary syndrome (ACS), which includes unstable angina and myocardial infarction (MI). This is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate intervention.

A) The client has a history of hypertension and diabetes. - This is an important finding, as hypertension and diabetes are risk factors for cardiovascular disease, but it is not an urgent finding that requires immediate reporting.

B) The client rates the pain as 8 on a scale of 0 to 10. - This is a significant finding, as chest pain is a cardinal symptom of ACS, but it is not a definitive finding that confirms the diagnosis.

C) The client has crackles in the lower lobes of both lungs. - This is an abnormal finding, as crackles indicate fluid accumulation in the alveoli, which may be caused by heart failure, pneumonia, or pulmonary edema. However, it is not a specific finding for ACS and may be related to other conditions.