A nurse is performing an annual wellness exam on an 8-year-old child whose last exam was one year ago. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

Rationale:

A. Explain to the client they can change their mind at any time: Clients have the right to make or revoke decisions about resuscitation at any time. Informing the client of this autonomy supports informed consent and respects their evolving preferences and values regarding end-of-life care.

B. Obtain consent from the family for the change to the plan of care: The decision for a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order is made by the client, not the family, if the client is competent. Family involvement is supportive but does not override the client’s autonomy in this matter.

C. Discharge the client to hospice care: While hospice may be appropriate for end-stage disease, requesting a DNR does not automatically necessitate discharge. Clients can remain in the current care setting with appropriate adjustments to their goals of care.

D. Place a sign with "Do Not Resuscitate" outside the client's room: Displaying such signs can violate privacy and confidentiality. Instead, the DNR order should be documented clearly in the medical record and care plan, accessible to the healthcare team.

Rationale:

A. Increased hemoglobin: Elevated hemoglobin levels are generally associated with dehydration, high altitude, or chronic hypoxia, but they are not specific indicators of infection. Hemoglobin does not provide direct evidence of a bacterial process.

B. Increased absolute neutrophils: Neutrophils are the primary white blood cells involved in fighting bacterial infections. An elevated absolute neutrophil count suggests an acute bacterial infection or an inflammatory response caused by bacterial pathogens.

C. Decreased C-reactive protein: CRP is a marker of inflammation, often elevated during bacterial infections. A decreased CRP level makes bacterial infection less likely and is not consistent with the inflammatory response usually seen in such cases.

D. Decreased platelets: Low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia) can result from viral infections, autoimmune diseases, or bone marrow disorders. While they may be altered in sepsis, they are not a reliable or primary marker of a typical bacterial infection.