While changing a client’s postoperative dressing, the nurse observes purulent drainage at the wound. Before reporting this finding to the healthcare provider (HCP), the nurse should note which of the client’s laboratory values?

Choice A reason: A heart rate of 120 beats/minute requires immediate intervention, as albuterol, a beta-agonist, stimulates cardiac beta-1 receptors, causing tachycardia. In emphysema, repeated dosing increases cardiovascular stress, risking arrhythmias or ischemia, necessitating evaluation to adjust therapy or address potential overdose effects.

Choice B reason: Respiratory rate of 28 breaths/minute is elevated but expected in emphysema with dyspnea. Albuterol aims to reduce bronchospasm, and this rate does not indicate immediate danger compared to tachycardia, which poses a cardiovascular risk, making it less urgent.

Choice C reason: Oxygen saturation of 90% is low but common in emphysema exacerbations. Albuterol improves airflow, and supplemental oxygen may address hypoxia. While concerning, this is less immediately life-threatening than tachycardia, which indicates potential albuterol toxicity, requiring urgent intervention.

Choice D reason: Peak expiratory flow at 60% reflects airflow limitation in emphysema, improved by albuterol. While low, it is not as urgent as tachycardia, which signals cardiovascular strain from repeated albuterol doses, posing a greater immediate risk to the client’s stability.

Choice A reason: Culture and sensitivity identify the causative organism and antibiotic susceptibility of purulent drainage, indicating a wound infection. This guides targeted antimicrobial therapy, as postoperative infections may involve resistant bacteria like MRSA, ensuring effective treatment and preventing complications like sepsis or delayed healing.

Choice B reason: C-reactive protein indicates systemic inflammation but is non-specific for wound infections. Purulent drainage requires pathogen identification via culture to guide therapy. While elevated CRP may support infection suspicion, it does not direct antibiotic choice, making it less critical than culture results.

Choice C reason: Serum blood glucose is relevant for wound healing, as hyperglycemia impairs immune response, but it does not identify the infection’s cause. Purulent drainage requires microbiological data from culture to select antibiotics, making glucose levels secondary for immediate infection management.

Choice D reason: Blood pH level assesses acid-base balance, irrelevant to localized wound infection. Purulent drainage indicates bacterial infection, requiring culture to identify pathogens. pH may be altered in systemic sepsis, but culture is the priority for guiding therapy in postoperative wound infections.