A client's white blood cell count and pre-albumin are severely decreased. What assessment finding does the nurse correlate with this laboratory result?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A decreased white blood cell count and pre-albumin <3.5 may indicate malnutrition. A nonhealing wound would correlate with a severe nutritional deficiency. Pocketing food during meals might be seen in a client who has a risk of aspiration. Weight less than normal for height is not specific enough to judge if the client is malnourished or not. A ten-pound weight loss in one month does not include enough information to determine if the weight loss was unintentional or deliberate through diet and exercise.

A Client's White Blood Cell Count and Pre-Albumin Are Severely