The nurse is reviewing pre-operative laboratory studies of an adult client on a medical-surgical unit. Which result should be reported to the physician immediately?

Choice A Reason:
Weekly aerobic exercise at a gym is generally beneficial for joint health and is not a predisposing factor for osteoarthritis. Regular physical activity helps maintain joint flexibility, muscle strength, and overall health, which can actually help prevent the development of osteoarthritis.

Choice B Reason:
Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with an increased risk of osteoarthritis. Vitamin D is essential for bone health, and a deficiency can lead to changes in bone structure and strength, potentially contributing to the development and progression of osteoarthritis.

Choice C Reason:
A weight of less than 60 kg does not typically predispose an individual to osteoarthritis. In fact, maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the risk of developing osteoarthritis, as excess body weight can increase the stress on joints.

Choice D Reason:
Trauma can lead to post-traumatic osteoarthritis, which is a form of osteoarthritis that develops after an injury to a joint. Traumatic injuries can damage the cartilage and bone, leading to degenerative changes and osteoarthritis.

Choice A reason:
Prednisone is a corticosteroid that can cause hyperglycemia, especially in clients with diabetes. The nurse should monitor blood glucose levels because prednisone can increase insulin resistance and hepatic glucose production, leading to elevated blood glucose levels. Normal fasting blood glucose levels range from 70 to 99 mg/dL, and for individuals with diabetes, maintaining blood glucose levels within the target range set by their healthcare provider is crucial to prevent complications.

Choice B reason:
While corticosteroids can affect electrolyte balance, they typically cause a decrease in potassium levels, not an increase. Therefore, monitoring for hypokalemia, rather than hyperkalemia, would be more appropriate when a patient is on prednisone. The normal range for serum potassium is 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L.

Choice C reason:
Corticosteroids like prednisone can cause leukocytosis, an increase in white blood cell count, as part of their immunosuppressive action. However, this is generally not a harmful side effect unless accompanied by infection or other complications. The normal range for white blood cell count is approximately 4,500 to 11,000 cells per microliter.

Choice D reason:
Increased ketones in the urine, or ketonuria, is not a typical side effect of prednisone. Ketonuria is more commonly associated with uncontrolled diabetes, particularly Type 1 diabetes, when there is an insulin deficiency and the body resorts to fat breakdown, leading to ketone production.