The nurse should initiate protective precautions for a client who has which white blood cell count?

• A. WBC 2500 mm3
• B. WBC 4500 mm3
• C. WBC 8000 mm3
• D. WBC 5000 mm3

Answer: (A)

A low white blood cell count means the patient is at higher risk for infection because the body has fewer cells to fight pathogens. A WBC count around 2,500/mm3 is leukopenia, which requires protective precautions to minimize exposure to infectious agents. The nurse should implement measures such as placing the patient in a private room, restricting visitors, and using appropriate personal protective equipment with staff and visitors, along with vigilant hand hygiene and avoidance of potential infection sources (like fresh flowers or raw foods). Since the other counts are within normal ranges, those values would not by themselves necessitate additional protective precautions.