Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 85%
Simulated
A client who had an exploratory laparotomy 3 days ago has a white blood cell (WBC) differential with a shift to the left. The nurse instructs unlicensed personnel to report which clinical manifestation?
Correct answer
C
Rationale
A left shift in the WBC differential indicates an increase in immature neutrophils, often due to infection. An elevated temperature is a key sign of infection and should be reported promptly. Swelling, redness, and purulent drainage are also concerning but may develop later.