A patient with a full-thickness burn covering 40% of their body is exhibiting purulent drainage at the wound site. Before reporting this finding to the healthcare provider, which of the patient’s laboratory values should the nurse review?

Choice A rationale Blood pH level is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of the blood. While it’s an important measure in many medical situations, it’s not directly related to the presence of purulent drainage at a burn wound site. Choice B rationale Hematocrit measures the percentage of red blood cells in the blood and is not directly related to the presence of purulent drainage at a burn wound site. Elevated hematocrit may indicate dehydration or hemoconcentration but does not specifically address the issue of wound infection. Choice C rationale The White Blood Cell (WBC) count is a key indicator of infection or inflammation in the body. An elevated WBC count can indicate an infection, which could be the cause of the purulent drainage observed at the burn wound site. Choice D rationale Platelet count is a measure of the number of platelets in the blood. Platelets are involved in clotting and wound healing, but they do not directly indicate the presence of an infection that could cause purulent drainage.