Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 71%
Full-length
A client with type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease, and peripheral arterial disease developed hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) and has been receiving intravenous (IV) antibiotics for 4 days. Which parameter monitored by the nurse best indicates the effectiveness of treatment?
Correct answer
D
Rationale
A decreasing WBC count indicates resolving infection, as HAP elevates WBCs. Sputum color is unreliable, lung sounds improve later, and oxygen saturation reflects oxygenation, not infection status.