The nurse assesses morning lab results for a postoperative day 1 liver transplant recipient. Lab results noted by the nurse include aspartate transaminase (AST) 365 U/L; alanine aminotransferase (ALT) 400 U/L; and serum glucose of 85 mg/dL
What is the best action by the nurse? a. Notify the physician of liver enzyme results.
b. Treat hypoglycemia with 50 mL 5% dextrose.
c. Repeat the liver enzyme results in 4 hours.
d. Prepare to administer IV insulin infusion.
A
Laboratory values should be trended, but the nurse should notify the physician of the elevated liver enzyme results, as significantly elevated results could indicate hepatic artery thrombosis. Glucose of 85 mg/dL is considered within normal limits by most laboratories and would not require treatment with glucose or insulin to normalize. Repeating the enzyme results in 4 hours would be appropriate, but it is not the immediate priority.
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