A patient who is suspected of having prostate cancer has had laboratory tests completed. The PSA result is 2.4 ng/mL. What can the nurse infer from this information?
1. The PSA indicates a need to retest every other year.
2. The patient does not have prostate cancer.
3. The PSA results are inconclusive.
4. The PSA results are elevated, signaling likely prostate cancer.
1
Rationale 1: PSA levels below 2.5 ng/mL do not warrant immediate concern. If the patient has few risk factors for prostate cancer, the test will be repeated every other year.
Rationale 2: PSA is a screening tool. Some men with low PSA results do have prostate cancer.
Rationale 3: The results are not inconclusive, but there is no true normal range for PSA. Treatment decisions are based on additional assessments along with the PSA.
Rationale 4: This PSA level is low, but continued vigilance is necessary. If the patient has additional symptoms of prostate cancer, other testing should be done.
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