The nurse is reviewing laboratory reports for multiple patients. Which patient's laboratory values require the nurse's immediate attention?

Question

a. Hemoglobin (Hgb) of 7.1 g/dL; white blood cell (WBC) count of 4500 mL/mm3
b. Potassium of 5.5 mEq/L; WBC count of 7000 mL/mm3
c. Sodium of 129 mEq/L; WBC of 6000 mL/mm3; 13.2 g/dL
d. Calcium of 8.8 mg/dL; WBC count of 8000 mL/mm3

Answer 1

A
All of the WBC counts are normal. The nurse must then decide which other laboratory value re-quires the most urgent attention. The Hgb is critically low and requires immediate intervention (likely a transfusion). The low Hgb suggests possible anemia or blood loss. The normal Hgb range for adults is: females, 12.0 to 16.7 g/dL; males, 13.0 to 18.0 g/dL. The potassium of 5.5 mEq/L is at the top of the normal range and requires close monitoring for potential cardiac complications but is less urgent than the critical value. The sodium of 129 mEq/L is at the low end of the normal range and requires close monitoring but is less urgent than the critical value. The calcium level of 8.8 mg/dL is a normal value.