Which laboratory finding should prompt the nurse to initiate neutropenic precautions?

A white blood cell count of 2000 cells/mm3 indicates a significant reduction in the body’s ability to fight infections, which is characteristic of neutropenia. Neutropenia refers specifically to a deficiency in neutrophils, a type of white blood cell essential for responding to infections. When the WBC count drops to such low levels, patients become highly vulnerable to infections, necessitating the implementation of neutropenic precautions.

Neutropenic precautions are critical in these cases to limit the risk of infection, educating patients and caregivers about hygiene, environmental safety, and the avoidance of live vaccines or crowds. Maintaining an appropriately protected environment can be vital for the patient's safety during this period of increased susceptibility.

In contrast, the other laboratory values mentioned do not indicate a similar risk. For instance, a hemoglobin level of 10 g/dL and a platelet count of 150,000/mm3 fall within a range that is typically considered acceptable for many patients and would not independently prompt neutropenic precautions. Additionally, a neutrophil count of 7,500/mm3 is within normal limits, reflecting a robust immune response, making neutropenic precautions unnecessary. Thus, the white blood cell count of 2000 cells/mm3