A nurse is caring for a child who has acute appendicitis. Which of the following results should the nurse anticipate when reviewing this client's laboratory values?
RBC 4.2 million/mm³
Lymphocytes 3,000/mm3
Neutrophils 3.000/mm³
WBC 17.000/mm3
The Correct Answer is D
When caring for a child with acute appendicitis, the nurse should anticipate an elevated white blood cell count (WBC) in the laboratory values. A high WBC count is a common finding in acute appendicitis, as it indicates an inflammatory response and infection in the body. The body's immune system responds to the inflammation caused by the infected appendix, leading to an increase in WBCs to fight off the infection.
The other options are not necessarily specific to acute appendicitis:
A. RBC 4.2 million/mm³: The red blood cell count (RBC) measures the number of red blood cells in the bloodstream. This value may be within the normal range, but it is not the primary marker for diagnosing or monitoring acute appendicitis.
B. Lymphocytes 3,000/mm3: Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell involved in the body's immune response. While changes in lymphocyte levels can occur during inflammation, it is not the primary marker for diagnosing or monitoring acute appendicitis.
C. Neutrophils 3.000/mm³: Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell that increases in response to infection and inflammation. However, the absolute neutrophil count is not as relevant as the overall WBC count in determining the presence and severity of acute appendicitis.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The nurse should recommend bananas as a safe food choice for a 2-year-old child. Bananas are soft and easy to chew, making them safe for young children. They do not pose a choking hazard, unlike grapes, raw carrots, or celery.
Option B (Grapes) can be a choking hazard for young children, especially if they are not cut into small pieces or are given whole.
Option C (Raw carrots) and Option D (Celery) are hard and crunchy, and they require more chewing, which may not be safe for a 2-year-old child who is still developing their chewing and swallowing abilities.
As a general guideline, when selecting foods for young children, it is essential to choose soft, easily chewable, and non-choking hazard options to promote safe eating and reduce the risk of choking incidents.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The nurse should expect to find irritability in an infant who is dehydrated. Dehydration in infants can lead to changes in behavior and irritability due to the imbalance in fluid and electrolytes. Other common signs of dehydration in infants may include:
Poor skin turgor (skin tenting)
Sunken fontanelles (soft spots on the baby's head)
Dry mucous membranes (dry mouth and tongue)
Decreased urine output or concentrated urine
Rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
Increased respiratory rate
Sunken eyes
Decreased tears when crying
B. Tetany is a condition characterized by involuntary muscle contractions and is more commonly associated with hypocalcemia (low calcium levels) rather than dehydration.
C. A slow, bounding pulse is not typically associated with dehydration. Dehydration often leads to a rapid heart rate (tachycardia) as the body attempts to compensate for the loss of fluid.
D. Decreased temperature is not a typical finding in dehydration. Dehydration can lead to fever in some cases due to an underlying infection, but it does not cause a decrease in body temperature on its own.
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