What finding should a nurse document to indicate the effectiveness of filgrastim therapy?

The effectiveness of filgrastim therapy is indicated by an increased neutrophil count. Filgrastim is a granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) that stimulates the bone marrow to produce and release neutrophils, which are a type of white blood cell essential for fighting infections. When filgrastim is administered, the expected therapeutic response is a rise in the neutrophil count, especially in individuals who are neutropenic due to conditions like chemotherapy or bone marrow disorders. Monitoring neutrophil levels is crucial, as an increase suggests that the drug is working effectively to enhance immune response.

While an increased WBC count could also suggest an effective response to treatment, it is not as specific as the neutrophil count since WBC count includes all types of white blood cells, not just neutrophils. Thus, the most direct indicator of filgrastim's effectiveness is the increase in neutrophil count. The other findings mentioned, such as prothrombin time and triglycerides, are not indicators of filgrastim therapy effectiveness and pertain to different areas of health that are not directly related to neutrophil production.