A nurse is providing care to a client who is immunocompromised.

Which of the following should the nurse identify as a possible source of infection?

Stressors can be categorized as external or internal. External stressors are factors or events in the environment that can cause stress.

In this case, the recent move to a new city is an external stressor because it is an event that has occurred outside of the client and is influencing their current state of stress. Moving to a new city can bring about significant changes and challenges, such as adjusting to a new environment, finding new social connections, and adapting to unfamiliar surroundings.

Feeling depressed is an internal stressor because it relates to the client's emotional state or mental health condition. Depression can be caused by various factors, such as biochemical imbalances, life circumstances, or genetic predispositions.

Lack of nutritional knowledge: This is an internal stressor because it refers to the client's lack of knowledge or awareness regarding nutrition. While the lack of nutritional knowledge can contribute to stress, it is an internal factor that can be addressed through education and learning.

While recurring urinary tract infections can be stressful for the client, they are considered an internal stressor because they involve a physical condition or health issue within the client's body. Addressing and managing the infections would involve medical interventions and possibly lifestyle modifications.

Explanation

A. Increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate

A. Increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a non-specific marker of inflammation in the body. In the presence of an infection, the ESR tends to rise due to increased levels of acute-phase reactants, such as fibrinogen and globulins. However, it is important to note that an increased ESR alone does not diagnose a specific infection but rather indicates the presence of inflammation or infection.

Decreased platelets in (option B) should not be included because they are not typically associated with infection. Low platelet levels (thrombocytopenia) may occur due to various reasons, such as certain medications, immune disorders, or bone marrow problems, but they are not directly linked to infections.

Increased iron level in (option C) should not be included because it is not a typical finding in an active infection. In fact, during an infection, iron levels tend to decrease in response to the body's efforts to withhold iron from pathogens, as most microorganisms require iron for their growth and survival.

Decreased haemoglobin in (option D) should not be included because it is not directly indicative of an infection. A decrease in hemoglobin levels may be associated with conditions such as anaemia, blood loss, or certain chronic diseases, but it is not a specific marker for infection.