The client has a 6-inch laceration on his right forearm. The arm devel

The client has a 6-inch laceration on his right forearm. The arm develops an infection. Which of the following is a sign of an acute inflammatory process?

1. A blanching of the skin
2. A decrease in temperature at the site
3. A decrease in the number of white blood cells
4. A release of histamine trhat adds to the pain response

ANSWER

ANS: 4
A sign of an acute inflammatory process is pain. The swelling of inflamed tissues increases pres-sure on nerve endings, causing pain. Chemical substances such as histamine also stimulate nerve endings, adding to the pain response. The skin is not blanched; but rather, with the increase in local blood flow; it is reddened. The symptom of localized warmth results from a greater volume of blood at the inflammatory site. The cellular response of acute inflammation involves WBCs arriving at the site. There is an increase in WBCs, rather than a decrease.