Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 93%
Full-length
A client on chemotherapy has a WBC count of 1,200/mm^3. Which of the following nursing actions should the nurse take FIRST?
Correct answer
A
Rationale
A WBC count of 1,200/mm^3 indicates severe neutropenia, increasing infection risk. Checking temperature every 4 hours detects fever early, a priority. Options B, C, and D are secondary: urine output is unrelated, bleeding gums suggest thrombocytopenia, and blood cultures require fever.