Chapter 14 Osborn, Medical-Surgical Nursing, 2e

Chapter 14 Question 1 Type: MCSA While reviewing the white blood cell count differential for a patient, the nurse notes that the basophil count is elevated. What does this laboratory value indicate to the nurse? 1. The patient may be experiencing an acute hypersensitivity reaction. 2. The patient has a viral gastrointestinal infection. 3. The patient is fighting a bacterial skin infection. 4. The patient is not responding to a parasitic infection. Correct Answer: 1 Rationale 1: Basophils are not phagocytic and contain proteins and chemicals such as heparin, histamine, bradykinin, serotonin, and leukotrienes that are released into the bloodstream during an acute hypersensitivity reaction or stress response. Rationale 2: Basophils do not respond to viral infections. Rationale 3: Basophils do not respond to bacterial infections. Rationale 4: Basophils increase with parasitic infections, so an increase would indicate a response by thepatient. Global Rationale: Cognitive Level: Analyzing Client Need: Physiological Integrity