A nurse is caring for a client who is 8 hr postoperative following a left hip arthroplasty. Which of the following laboratory values indicates the nurse should notify the provider?
Blood glucose 98 mg/dL
BUN 18 mg/dL
Hemoglobin 8.6 g/dL
Potassium 3.5 mEq/L
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A: This is incorrect because blood glucose 98 mg/dL is within the normal range of 70 to 110 mg/dL. The nurse does not need to notify the provider for this value.
Choice B: This is incorrect because BUN 18 mg/dL is within the normal range of 10 to 20 mg/dL. The nurse does not need to notify the provider for this value.
Choice C: This is correct because hemoglobin 8.6 g/dL is below the normal range of 12 to 18 g/dL. The nurse should notify the provider for this value as it indicates anemia, which can be caused by blood loss during surgery or impaired bone marrow function.
Choice D: This is incorrect because potassium 3.5 mEq/L is within the normal range of 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L. The nurse does not need to notify the provider for this value.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: 0.9% sodium chloride or normal saline is the only solution that should be administered with PRBCs, as it has an isotonic osmolarity and pH that are compatible with blood products and can prevent hemolysis or clotting.
Choice B reason: Dextrose 5% in water or D5W should not be administered with PRBCs, as it has a hypotonic osmolarity that can cause hemolysis or rupture of red blood cells due to osmotic pressure.
Choice C reason: Lactated Ringer's or LR should not be administered with PRBCs, as it contains calcium and lactate that can interfere with blood coagulation and cause clotting or embolism.
Choice D reason: Dextrose 5% in 0.45% sodium chloride or D5½NS should not be administered with PRBCs, as it has a hypotonic osmolarity that can cause hemolysis or rupture of red blood cells due to osmotic pressure.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Ammonia 55 mg/dL is within the normal range of 15 to 60 mg/dL and does not indicate any liver dysfunction or bleeding risk.
Choice B reason: Bilirubin 1.0 mg/dL is within the normal range of 0.3 to 1.2 mg/dL and does not indicate any liver damage or jaundice.
Choice C reason: Aspartate aminotransferase 34 units/L is within the normal range of 10 to 40 units/L and does not indicate any liver inflammation or injury.
Choice D reason: Platelets 60,000/mm³ is below the normal range of 150,000 to 450,000/mm³ and indicates thrombocytopenia, which is a low platelet count that can increase the risk of bleeding during or after the liver biopsy. The nurse should report this value to the provider and monitor the client for signs of bleeding, such as bruising, petechiae, hematuria, or melena.
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