Which laboratory result should be prioritized for urgent reporting to a healthcare provider?

Prioritizing laboratory results for urgent reporting to a healthcare provider requires an understanding of potential health risks and immediate actions that may be needed for patient safety. A serum glucose level of 68 in a patient receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is particularly concerning because it indicates hypoglycemia, which can quickly lead to serious complications if not addressed promptly.

In the context of a patient on TPN, maintaining appropriate blood glucose levels is crucial, as TPN solutions typically contain high amounts of glucose. Therefore, a drop to a glucose level of 68 mg/dL suggests that the current management of the patient’s nutritional needs might need adjustment, particularly the glucose component, to prevent further drops in blood sugar. Hypoglycemia can result in symptoms such as confusion, dizziness, loss of consciousness, or seizures, necessitating immediate intervention.

In contrast, a CD4 cell count of 500 in a client with HIV may indicate effective immune function and is not typically urgent unless there are significant changes from prior results. A hemoglobin A1C of 7.3, while indicating that a diabetic patient’s blood sugar levels have been higher than desirable in the past few months, does not require immediate intervention. Lastly, a platelet count of 148