What laboratory result should a nurse monitor for a client taking clozapine?

Clozapine is an atypical antipsychotic that is known for its efficacy in treatment-resistant schizophrenia. One of the significant concerns with clozapine therapy is its association with agranulocytosis, a potentially life-threatening decrease in white blood cells, particularly neutrophils. As a result, regular monitoring of the white blood cell count is crucial while a patient is on this medication.

The white blood cell count is essential for ensuring that the patient maintains an adequate level of neutrophils to avoid the risk of severe infections that can arise from low white blood cell levels. This monitoring typically involves frequent blood tests, especially during the initial stages of treatment, to ensure the patient's safety.

The other laboratory results, while they may be important in other contexts, are not the primary focus in monitoring a patient taking clozapine. Although hemoglobin levels, liver enzyme levels, and electrolyte panels might provide valuable information regarding the patient’s overall health, they do not specifically address the high-risk side effect associated with clozapine. Thus, the priority is the white blood cell count, making it the most critical laboratory result to monitor in this scenario.