A nurse is reviewing laboratory results for four clients who are scheduled for surgery. Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse report to the surgeon?
A.
Platelets 95,000/mm
B.
MCT 42%
C.
WBC count 8,000/mm
D.
INR of 1.6
Answer: A. Platelets 95,000/mm³
Explanation:
- Platelets are crucial for blood clotting. A normal platelet count is typically between 150,000 to 400,000/mm³. A count of 95,000/mm³ is significantly below this range, indicating thrombocytopenia, which increases the risk of excessive bleeding during and after surgery. This should be reported to the surgeon for further evaluation and management.
- MCT 42% (mean corpuscular thickness) is not a standard lab value; it might be a typo or confusion with HCT (hematocrit), which is within a normal range for adults.
- WBC count of 8,000/mm³ is within the normal range (4,000 to 11,000/mm³), indicating no immediate concern.
- INR of 1.6 is slightly elevated but might be acceptable depending on the type of surgery and the patient’s medical history, especially if they are on anticoagulant therapy. However, it’s not as critical as the low platelet count.
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