A nurse is assessing a preoperative client. The client has a history of atrial fibrillation and is taking warfarin daily. Which test order will the nurse request from the provider?

A. Vital signs, including blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature, provide baseline information about the client's cardiovascular and respiratory status. This assessment helps predict how well the client might tolerate the surgical procedure under anesthesia and monitor for any deviations during the procedure.
B. Establishing baseline vital signs before surgery provides a comparison point for monitoring the client's recovery and identifying any postoperative complications. Changes in vital signs postoperatively can indicate potential issues such as bleeding, fluid imbalance, or respiratory compromise.
C. Monitoring blood pressure before surgery helps identify clients at risk for intraoperative hypotension, particularly important during induction of anesthesia and throughout the surgical procedure. Establishing baseline blood pressure levels guides intraoperative management to maintain hemodynamic stability.
D. While vital signs are important for assessing physiological status, they do not directly assess pain. Pain assessment involves asking the client about their pain experience, location, intensity, and factors that alleviate or exacerbate pain. Vital signs can indirectly reflect pain if pain causes changes in heart rate or blood pressure, but they are not specific indicators of pain.

A. Potassium levels are important for assessing electrolyte balance and are not directly indicative of protein intake or synthesis.
B. Calcium levels are important for bone health, nerve function, and muscle contraction. They are not directly indicative of protein intake or synthesis.
C. Albumin is a plasma protein that reflects the body's nutritional status and liver function. It has a relatively long half-life (approximately 20 days), making it a useful marker for assessing protein intake and synthesis over time. Low albumin levels can indicate malnutrition, liver disease, or other conditions affecting protein metabolism.
D. Sodium levels are important for fluid balance and nerve function. They are not directly indicative of protein intake or synthesis.