Practice Question
While caring for a client with full thickness burns covering 40% of the body, the nurse observes purulent drainage from the wounds. Before reporting this finding to the healthcare provider (HCP), the nurse should evaluate which laboratory value?
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
Neutrophil count.
Rationale:
🔵 Purulent drainage indicates possible infection in burn wounds.
🔵 Neutrophils (a type of WBC) are the body’s first line of defense against bacterial infection.
🔵 Evaluating neutrophil count helps confirm or rule out systemic infection/sepsis.
🔵 Serum albumin relates to nutrition, not acute infection.
🔵 Blood pH indicates acid-base balance, not infection.
🔵 Platelet count reflects coagulation, not wound infection.
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This question is from HESI RN Med-Surg Fall 2024. 15.7.2025 which contains 41 questions.
More Questions from This Exam
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The nurse assesses a client with cirrhosis and finds 4+ pitting edema of the feet and legs, and massive ascites. Which mechanism contributes to edema and ascites in clients with cirrhosis?
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A client is admitted with a history of hypertension and an acute myocardial infarction 2 years ago. The client reports, I weak and tired, so I cannot exercise at all. I feel out of breath when I walk even a short distance. Since I cannot exercise, I gaining weight. My shoes are even getting tight!" The cardiac monitor displays sinus tachycardia. Which cue should lead the nurse to further assess the client for other symptoms of right sided heart failure?
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Question Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: HESI Exam(s)
- Domain: Hesi MedSurg
- Answer Choices: 4