A parent brings a 4-month-old infant to the clinic.
The infant has had a runny nose, a slight fever, and a cough for the last two days.
Which of the following findings should alert the nurse that the child is in acute respiratory distress?

Choice A rationale

Serum albumin levels can be relevant in assessing nutritional status and the body’s ability to heal wounds. However, they do not directly indicate the presence of infection or purulent drainage.

Choice B rationale

Hematocrit measures the percentage of red blood cells in the blood and is not directly related to the presence of purulent drainage at a burn wound site. Elevated hematocrit may indicate dehydration or hemoconcentration but does not specifically address the issue of wound infection.

Choice C rationale

Serum blood glucose (BG) level is not directly related to the presence of purulent drainage at a burn wound site. Elevated BG levels might be seen in clients with diabetes or as a stress response, but they are not the primary indicator of infection or wound complications.

Choice D rationale

Neutrophil count is a key laboratory value to note when a client with a full-thickness burn has purulent drainage at the wound. An elevated neutrophil count can indicate an infection, which could be the cause of the purulent drainage.

Choice A rationale

A lung biopsy is an invasive procedure that is typically performed to diagnose conditions such as lung cancer or interstitial lung disease. It is not the first-line test for evaluating increased shortness of breath in a client with COPD56.

Choice B rationale

Spirometry is a common, non-invasive test used to assess lung function and is particularly useful in conditions like COPD. It measures the volume and speed of air a person can inhale and exhale, which can help in assessing the severity of COPD56.

Choice C rationale

Antibody testing is typically used to diagnose conditions related to the immune system, such as allergies or autoimmune diseases. It is not typically used to evaluate shortness of breath in a client with COPD56.

Choice D rationale

A sweat test is used to diagnose cystic fibrosis by measuring the amount of salt in a person’s sweat. It is not used to evaluate shortness of breath in a client with COPD56.