Anatomy of Hematologic System Related

Review Anatomy of Hematologic System related questions and content

A nurse reviews the laboratory data for an older patient. The nurse would be most concerned about which finding?

  • A. Hematocrit of 35%
  • B. Hemoglobin of 11.8 g/dL
  • C. Platelet count of 400000/L
  • D. White blood cell (WBC) count of 2800/L
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: White blood cell (WBC) count of 2800/L. A low WBC count (leukopenia) in an older patient can indicate an impaired immune system, making them vulnerable to infections. This is concerning as older adults have a weakened immune response. A: Hematocrit of 35% is within the normal range. B: Hemoglobin of 11.8 g/dL is slightly low but not a major concern as long as it's not significantly lower. C: Platelet count of 400000/L is within the normal range and not typically a cause for concern.