The nurse is caring for a patient who has a history of congestive heart failure with generalized pitting edema. Which laboratory results will the nurse expect to find in the patient's chart? A) Glycosylated hemoglobin 12% B) Platelet count 450,000/mm³ C) Hematocrit 32% D) Prothrombin time 8.8 seconds

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Hemodilution is a common finding when patients are in fluid overload caused by congestive heart failure. A normal hematocrit result is 42% to 52% for a male and 37% to 47% for a female, so the patient's 32% hematocrit level is markedly low. The other laboratory results are not expected due to congestive heart failure or fluid overload.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Patient Who Has a History