A nurse in a pediatric clinic is reviewing the laboratory results of a school-age child. Which of the following findings indicates the child may have a potential bacterial infection?

Rationale: A. Increased hemoglobin: Elevated hemoglobin levels are generally associated with dehydration, high altitude, or chronic hypoxia, but they are not specific indicators of infection. Hemoglobin does not provide direct evidence of a bacterial process. B. Increased absolute neutrophils: Neutrophils are the primary white blood cells involved in fighting bacterial infections. An elevated absolute neutrophil count suggests an acute bacterial infection or an inflammatory response caused by bacterial pathogens. C. Decreased C-reactive protein: CRP is a marker of inflammation, often elevated during bacterial infections. A decreased CRP level makes bacterial infection less likely and is not consistent with the inflammatory response usually seen in such cases. D. Decreased platelets: Low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia) can result from viral infections, autoimmune diseases, or bone marrow disorders. While they may be altered in sepsis, they are not a reliable or primary marker of a typical bacterial infection.