When reviewing the preoperative laboratory results of a patient taking oxcarbazepine for seizure control, you note all of the following values. For which one will you notify the surgeon immediately?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A serum sodium level of 128 mEq/L is below the normal range of 135-145 mEq/L and may indicate hyponatremia, a potential complication of oxcarbazepine use. Hyponatremia can lead to neurological symptoms and an increased risk of complications during surgery, so the surgeon should be notified immediately. The white blood cell count and serum chloride level are both within normal range, while an INR of 0.9 is also within the therapeutic range for most surgeries.

When Reviewing the Preoperative Laboratory Results of a Patient Taking