Question

A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results for a client who is at 10 weeks of gestation. Which of the following laboratory findings should the nurse report to the provider?

A. Hemoglobin 10 g/dL

B. WBC count 15,000/mm³

C. RBC count 5.8 million/mm³

D. Hematocrit 34%

Answer 1

In this question, the client is 10 weeks of gestation.( two and half months ) in first trimester.

normaly in first trimester we check blood parameters to find out any correctable abnormalities.

here hemoglobin count is 10 gm /dl , that is below the lower limit (11 gm /dl ) in pregnancy. so this patient have anaemia. most common cause is iron deficiency anaemia. other causes are vit b12 and folate defeciancy.

normaly in second trimester of pregnancy ,there will be low hemoglobin due to high volume of blood compared to rbc mass(Dilutional anemia)

symptoms of anaemia in pregnancy are fatigue, light headness, mild dyspnea duriung excertion,

signs are pallor ,tachycardia, hypotension

consequences of anaemia in pregnancy are low birth weight of baby

preterm baby

postpartum depression

increased risk of infant death immediately before or afte birth

Prevention methods for anemia :

• eat iron rich foods such as meats ,chicken, fish, egg,dried beans
• eat food high in folic acid like dark green leafy vegetables,orange juice
• eat foods high in viutamin c like citrus fruits ,raw vegetables
• iron folic acid tablet intake daily

Normal range of wbc count in first trimester of pregnancy is 6000 to 17000 per micro litre. here the wbc count of patient is 15,000/mm3 (within normal limits)

RBC count of this patient is 5.8 millions/mm3. normal referance range during pregnancy is 3.4 to 4.55 millions /mm3

(high erythropoietin produced from kidney may be the reason for high rbc)

hematocrit count in normal pregnancy in first trimester is 31 to 41 %

here the clients hematocrit is 34% (within normal limits) ,but near the lower limit of range may be due to high blood volume during pregnancy.