The nurse is caring for a patient who is hospitalized due to an exacerbation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).The nurse is reviewing the patient's lab work and finds the white blood cell count (WBC)is shifted to the left.Based on this information,which is a priority nursing diagnosis for this patient?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A shift to the left in the WBC count indicates an infection or inflammation. Therefore, the priority nursing diagnosis for this patient should be Risk for Infection. The nurse should closely monitor the patient for signs of infection and implement appropriate infection prevention measures to prevent further complications. The other options may be relevant but are not the priority in this situation.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Patient Who Is Hospitalized