The nurse is assessing four clients with musculoskeletal disorders. The nurse should assess the client with which laboratory result first?
a. Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP): 108 units/L
b. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST): 26 units/L
c. Serum calcium: 10.2 mg/dL
d. Serum phosphorus: 2 mg/dL
ANS: D
A normal serum phosphorus level is 3 to 4.5 mg/dL; a level of 2 mg/dL is low, and this client should be assessed first. The values for serum ALP, AST, and calcium are all within normal ranges.
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