A nurse is caring for a client who is 8 hr postoperative following a left hip arthroplasty. Which of the following laboratory values indicates the nurse should notify the provider?
Blood glucose 98 mg/dL
BUN 18 mg/dL
Hemoglobin 8.6 g/dL
Potassium 3.5 mEq/L
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A: This is incorrect because blood glucose 98 mg/dL is within the normal range of 70 to 110 mg/dL. The nurse does not need to notify the provider for this value.
Choice B: This is incorrect because BUN 18 mg/dL is within the normal range of 10 to 20 mg/dL. The nurse does not need to notify the provider for this value.
Choice C: This is correct because hemoglobin 8.6 g/dL is below the normal range of 12 to 18 g/dL. The nurse should notify the provider for this value as it indicates anemia, which can be caused by blood loss during surgery or impaired bone marrow function.
Choice D: This is incorrect because potassium 3.5 mEq/L is within the normal range of 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L. The nurse does not need to notify the provider for this value.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Having a bologna sandwich is not a good choice for a client who has hypertension, as bologna is a processed meat that contains high amounts of sodium and saturated fat, which can raise blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Choice B reason: Seasoning food with vinegar is a good choice for a client who has hypertension, as vinegar is a low-sodium condiment that can add flavor and acidity to food without increasing blood pressure.
Choice C reason: Seasoning food with ketchup is not a good choice for a client who has hypertension, as ketchup is a high-sodium condiment that can increase blood pressure and fluid retention.
Choice D reason: Having canned soup is not a good choice for a client who has hypertension, as canned soup is a high-sodium food that can increase blood pressure and fluid retention. The client should choose low-sodium or homemade soup instead.

Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Asking the client if they are having difficulty breathing is the highest priority question, as it can assess the severity of their allergic reaction to penicillin and the risk of anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening condition that can cause airway obstruction and respiratory failure.
Choice B reason: Taking the client's heart rate is not a question, but an action that can be done after asking the client about their breathing status. The heart rate can indicate the presence of tachycardia or arrhythmia, which are signs of cardiovascular compromise due to an allergic reaction.
Choice C reason: Telling the client that they need to receive diphenhydramine is not a question, but an action that can be done after asking the client about their breathing status. Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine drug that can reduce the symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as itching, swelling, or wheezing.
Choice D reason: Asking the client if they have any allergies to medications is not a high priority question, as it can be done before administering penicillin or after stabilizing the client's condition. Knowing the client's allergy history can help prevent future adverse reactions and guide appropriate treatment choices.Question 42
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