The nurse reviews the most current laboratory results of assigned clients. Which result should the nurse report to the health care provider immediately?

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Almost all post kidney transplant clients are prescribed immunosuppressant drugs (eg, cyclosporine, azathioprine, prednisone) to help prevent organ rejection. This client's immunocompromised condition increases the risk for developing infection. Therefore, early recognition and prompt treatment of infection are critical to survival. The nurse should notify the health care provider (HCP) immediately of any signs or symptoms of an infection as well as abnormal urinalysis findings. (Option A) Cellulitis is a bacterial infection (eg, Staphylococcus aureus, streptococci) that causes inflammation of the subcutaneous tissues. An increased WBC count (normal 4,000-11,000/mm³ [4.0-11.0 × 10⁹/L]) would be expected in this client, so immediate notification of the HCP is not necessary. (Option B) Clients with chronic kidney injury have a decreased level of the hormone erythropoietin, resulting in decreased erythrocyte production. Decreased hematocrit (normal 39%-50% [0.39-0.50] for males, 35%-47% [0.35-0.47] for females) and hemoglobin (normal 13.2-17.3 g/dL [132-173 g/L] for males, 11.7-15.5 g/dL [117-155 g/L for females) levels would be expected in this client, so immediate notification of the HCP is not necessary. (Option C) An elevated postprandial serum glucose (>140 mg/dL [7.8 mmol/L]) would be expected in a client with type 2 diabetes mellitus, so immediate notification of the HCP is not necessary. Educational objective: Clients who have undergone kidney (or any organ) transplantation are prescribed immunosuppressant drugs to help prevent organ rejection and are therefore at increased risk for developing infection. The nurse should notify the HCP immediately of any signs or symptoms of an infection.

The Nurse Reviews the Most Current Laboratory Results of Assigned