A nurse in a provider's office is reinforcing teaching with a client who is pregnant and is scheduled for a nonstress test. Which of the following statements should the nurse make?

(A) "White blood cell count is an indicator of anemia.”
White blood cell count is not directly related to anemia. Anemia is typically assessed by hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, which reflect the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. White blood cell count measures immune system function and can indicate infection or inflammation rather than anemia.

(B) "Urine specific gravity identifies my risk for pregnancy induced hypertension.”
Urine specific gravity is a measure of urine concentration and hydration status, and it is not typically used to identify the risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension (preeclampsia). Preeclampsia is diagnosed based on symptoms such as hypertension (high blood pressure) and proteinuria (protein in the urine), along with other criteria.

(C) "Platelet count identifies if I am at risk for bleeding.”
Platelet count is a laboratory test that measures the number of platelets in the blood. Platelets are essential for blood clotting, so a low platelet count (thrombocytopenia) can indicate an increased risk of bleeding, which is pertinent to pregnancy, especially in cases of conditions like gestational thrombocytopenia or preeclampsia.

(D) "Sedimentation rate checks for signs of cancer.”
The sedimentation rate (ESR or sed rate) is a nonspecific test that measures inflammation in the body, but it is not used to check for signs of cancer specifically. Elevated sedimentation rate can indicate various inflammatory conditions such as infection, autoimmune diseases, or chronic inflammatory disorders. It is not a primary test for cancer diagnosis.

(a) Serum bilirubin:
While serum bilirubin can provide useful information about liver function, it is not the most immediate concern for a client with hyperemesis gravidarum. This condition primarily involves severe nausea and vomiting, which can lead to dehydration and ketosis.

(b) Liver enzymes:
Liver enzymes can be elevated in hyperemesis gravidarum, but they are not the primary concern. The immediate priority is to assess the extent of dehydration and metabolic disturbances.

(c) Urinalysis for ketones:
This test is the priority because it helps determine the extent of dehydration and ketosis. In hyperemesis gravidarum, severe vomiting can lead to significant fluid and electrolyte imbalances and ketosis, which need to be identified and corrected promptly to prevent further complications.

(d) CBC:
A complete blood count (CBC) provides useful information about overall health and can identify anemia or infection, but it is not the priority for immediate assessment of hyperemesis gravidarum. The immediate need is to evaluate hydration status and ketosis, which is best done through urinalysis for ketones.