The nurse is reviewing laboratory reports for multiple patients.Which patient's laboratory values require the nurse's immediate attention?

Question

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All of the WBC counts are normal.The nurse must then decide which other laboratory value requires the most urgent attention.The Hgb is critically low and requires immediate intervention (likely a transfusion).The low Hgb suggests possible anemia or blood loss.The normal Hgb range for adults is: females,12.0 to 16.7 g/dL; males,13.0 to 18.0 g/dL.The potassium of 5.5 mEq/L is at the top of the normal range and requires close monitoring for potential cardiac complications but is less urgent than the critical value.The sodium of 129 mEq/L is at the low end of the normal range and requires close monitoring but is less urgent than the critical value.The calcium level of 8.8 mg/dL is a normal value.

The Nurse Is Reviewing Laboratory Reports for Multiple Patients