A client is admitted with complaints of shortness of breath of 2 weeks duration. Which of the following laboratory findings would support the finding that the client is at risk for an alteration in perfusion?
1. Increased hematocrit
2. Decreased BUN
3. Increased blood sugar
4. Increased sedimentation rate
1. Increased hematocrit
Rationale:
Hematocrit is the percentage of the blood that is erythrocytes, which contain the hemoglobin that carries oxygen. Long-term hypoxia may result in the body's attempt to increase oxygen-carrying capacity by increasing erythrocyte production. This can lead to an alteration in the client's perfusion. BUN is a measure of blood urea nitrogen, not oxygen-carrying capacity. Increases in blood sugar and sedimentation rate are not directly a measure of oxygenation.
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