The nurse is reviewing the laboratory test results for a patient who has recently been diagnosed with hypertension. Which result is most important to communicate to the health care provider?
Serum hemoglobin of 14.7 g/dL.
Blood glucose level of 96 mg/dL.
Serum potassium of 4.5 mEq/L.
Serum creatinine of 2.8 mg/dL. .
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A rationale
Serum hemoglobin of 14.7 g/dL is within the normal range for adults, which is typically 12.0 to
16.0 g/dL for women and 13.5 to 17.5 g/dL for men. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. While it’s important to monitor hemoglobin levels, a value of 14.7 g/dL does not raise immediate concerns related to hypertension.
Choice B rationale
A blood glucose level of 96 mg/dL is considered normal. The normal range for fasting blood glucose is between 70 and 100 mg/dL1. Blood glucose levels are important to monitor, especially in patients with diabetes, but a value of 96 mg/dL is not immediately concerning in the context of hypertension.
Choice C rationale
A serum potassium level of 4.5 mEq/L is within the normal range, which is typically 3.6 to 5.2 mEq/L1. Potassium is an essential electrolyte that helps regulate heart and muscle contractions and maintain fluid balance in the body. While it’s important to monitor potassium levels, a value of 4.5 mEq/L does not raise immediate concerns related to hypertension.
Choice D rationale
A serum creatinine level of 2.8 mg/dL is high. Creatinine is a waste product that’s produced by your muscles and filtered out of your blood by your kidneys. High levels of creatinine can indicate that the kidneys aren’t working properly, which can be a complication of hypertension. Therefore, this result is the most important to communicate to the healthcare provider.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
While it’s important to inquire about an allergy to iodine in a patient who has undergone an angiogram, it’s not typically the priority for assessing and documenting for this patient after the procedure. An allergy to iodine would be more relevant before the procedure, as iodine-based contrast dye is often used during an angiogram.
Choice B rationale
Checking peripheral pulses in the affected leg is typically a priority when caring for a patient who has undergone an angiogram. This is because the procedure involves inserting a catheter into a blood vessel in the leg. Checking the peripheral pulses can help assess for potential complications such as a blood clot or decreased blood flow to the leg.
Choice C rationale
Monitoring for decreased blood pressure is important in a patient who has undergone an angiogram, but it’s not typically the priority for assessing and documenting for this patient after the procedure. While changes in blood pressure can occur after any medical procedure, other assessments such as checking peripheral pulses in the affected leg are typically more directly related to potential complications of an angiogram.
Choice D rationale
Tracking fluid intake is an important part of overall patient care, but it’s not typically the priority for assessing and documenting for a patient who has undergone an angiogram. Other assessments such as checking peripheral pulses in the affected leg are typically more directly related to potential complications of an angiogram.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Clubbed fingers can be a symptom of conditions such as endocarditis, a heart condition that involves inflammation of the inner lining of the heart.
Choice B rationale
While myocardial infarction (heart attack) is a serious condition, it is not typically associated with clubbing of the fingers.
Choice C rationale
Acute kidney injury does not typically cause clubbing of the fingers.
Choice D rationale
Chronic thrombophlebitis, a condition characterized by inflammation and blood clots in the veins, is not typically associated with clubbing of the fingers.
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