A client with a history of bleeding disorders presents to the emergency department with excessive bleeding from a minor cut. Which laboratory test should the nurse monitor to assess the client's clotting function?

A) Incorrect. Administering oxygen is essential for a client experiencing difficulty breathing, but the nurse's immediate action should be to stop the blood transfusion and notify the healthcare provider.

B) Incorrect. While assessing the client's vital signs is important, the priority action is to stop the blood transfusion and seek immediate medical assistance.

C) Correct. Sudden difficulty breathing and chest pain after a blood transfusion may indicate an allergic reaction or transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI). The nurse should stop the transfusion immediately and inform the healthcare provider.

D) Incorrect. Elevating the head of the client's bed may be helpful in managing respiratory distress, but it is not the priority when there is a potential adverse reaction to the blood transfusion.

A) Incorrect. Acute blood loss does not typically lead to a decreased platelet count. Platelet levels may remain within the normal range or slightly decrease due to hemodilution.

B) Correct. In acute blood loss, the concentration of red blood cells decreases, leading to hemoconcentration and elevated hemoglobin levels. This is the body's initial response to conserve oxygen-carrying capacity.

C) Incorrect. An increased white blood cell count is not a direct result of acute blood loss and may indicate other inflammatory or infectious processes.

D) Incorrect. Elevated liver enzymes are not a typical finding in acute blood loss. They are more indicative of liver injury or dysfunction.