The nurse includes the problem of "Risk for infection" in the plan of care (POC) for a client with myelosuppression. Which laboratory value provides the greatest support for this nursing problem? Reference Range: Hemoglobin (Hgb) [14 to 18 g/dL (140 to 180 g/L)] Hematocrit (Hct) [42% to 52% (0.42 to 0.52 volume fraction)] Red Blood Cell (RBC) [4.2 to 5.4 10/μL (4.2 to 5.4x10/L) White Blood Cell (WBC) [5,000 to 10,000/mm3 (5 to 10 10°/L)]

Rationale: A. Red blood cell count of 3.5 x 10¹²/L: A low RBC indicates anemia, which may cause fatigue and weakness, but it does not directly increase infection risk. B. White blood cell count of 1,500/mm³ (1.5 x 10⁹/L): Leukopenia significantly impairs the body’s ability to fight infections. A WBC count this low provides the strongest evidence supporting the nursing problem of “Risk for infection” in a client with myelosuppression. C. Hemoglobin of 10 g/dL (100 g/L): Reduced hemoglobin indicates anemia, affecting oxygen-carrying capacity, but it is not a direct indicator of susceptibility to infection. D. Hematocrit of 33% (0.33 volume fraction): Low hematocrit reflects decreased RBC volume and anemia, which may contribute to fatigue, but it does not directly relate to infection risk.