Final answer:
An elevated creatinine level is the priority laboratory finding a nurse must report to the provider before administering ceftazidime via IV bolus, as it indicates potential kidney impairment that could lead to drug toxicity.
Step-by-step explanation:
A nurse is reviewing laboratory results for a client who is to receive a dose of ceftazidime via intermittent IV bolus. Among the laboratory findings, it is a priority to report an elevated creatinine level to the provider before administering the medication. Ceftazidime is excreted by the kidneys, and elevated creatinine levels suggest impaired kidney function, which could lead to an accumulation of the drug in the body and subsequent toxicity. Other findings such as decreased white blood cell count, elevated potassium, and increased platelet count are also important, but impaired renal function directly impacts the drug's elimination and poses a significant risk if not addressed. Creatinine is a waste product that is normally filtered by the kidneys and excreted in the urine. Elevated creatinine levels indicate impaired kidney function, which can affect the clearance of medications from the body.