White Blood Cell (WBC) Lab Values

Overview White Blood Cells Normal Value Range Pathophysiology Special considerations Abnormal values (high) Abnormal values (low) Nursing Points General Normal value range WBC 4500-10000/mcL Differential Neutrophils 40-60% Bands 3-5% >8% indicates signal to WBC for more production Infection or inflammation is severe Eosinophils 1-4% Basophils 0.5-1% Lymphocytes 20-40% Monocytes 2-8% Pathophysiology WBC Formed in the bone marrow Responsible for responding to foreign invaders Creating antibodies (immunity) Phagocytosis (eating bacteria or fungi) Multiple types with different purposes Neutrophils – inflammation and first response to invader Eosinophils – Inflammation Allergic response Parasites Basophils Inflammation Allergic response Lymphocytes Create antibodies Recognize antigens Destroy cells T Cells B Cells Natural Killer cells Monocytes Macrophages Engulf and destroy invaders Indicative of infection Special considerations Lavender top tube Will commonly be submitted for Complete Blood Count with differential Abnormal lab values Increased White Blood Cell count (leukocytosis) Infection Inflammation Trauma/Stress Pregnancy Asthma Allergic Reaction Decreased lab values (leukopenia) Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)/Rheumatoid arthritis Cancers Chemotherapy/Radiation Medications Neutropenic precautions Masks Gloves Wash hands Consider yourself infectious Prevent spread of infection to the patient Assessment Consider the overall WBC count plus abnormalities in differential Evaluate patient Signs or symptoms of: Trauma Inflammation Infection Therapeutic Management Antibiotic therapies where indicated by infection (followed by cultures to determine efficacy of antibiotics) Anti-inflammatories for inflammation Provide neutropenic precautions when necessary Nursing Concepts Lab Values Infection Control Patient Education Educate patient on the finishing any antibiotics completely. Do not stop prior, even if the patient says they are feeling better.