Final answer:
The nurse should report elevated ammonia levels to the healthcare provider as it indicates potential hepatic encephalopathy in a client with hepatic cirrhosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to identifying abnormal laboratory findings in a client with hepatic cirrhosis that should be reported to a healthcare provider. In the case of hepatic cirrhosis, the liver function is compromised which may lead to various abnormalities in lab results. For instance, a reduction in the synthesis of proteins such as albumin and coagulation-related proteins is common.
Among the options given:
- Elevated albumin levels are unexpected in hepatic diseases as albumin levels usually decrease because of the impaired liver function. An elevated albumin level could be due to dehydration or insulin-resistant diabetes, but not typically associated with hepatic cirrhosis.
- Increased platelet count is not a typical finding in hepatic cirrhosis; instead, there is usually a decrease in platelet count due to splenic sequestration or diminished production.
- Elevated ammonia levels are a significant finding in hepatic cirrhosis and may indicate the development of hepatic encephalopathy, a serious complication. This is an important lab result to report.
- Decreased prothrombin time would imply a faster clotting time, which is not usual in hepatic cirrhosis. Typically, we expect an increased prothrombin time (or INR) due to reduced production of coagulation factors by the liver.
Therefore, the nurse should report elevated ammonia levels to the healthcare provider, which is option C.