Final answer:
The indication of a high risk of psychosis in a patient with hyperparathyroidism is a serum calcium level of 15 mg/dL, demonstrating hypercalcemia. Hyperparathyroidism results in increased serum calcium levels, which can lead to mental disturbances such as psychosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question pertains to the identification of a lab finding that indicates a high risk of psychosis in a patient with hyperparathyroidism.
Among the options provided, the correct lab finding that would indicate such a risk is serum calcium 15 mg/dL, which represents hypercalcemia. Hyperparathyroidism leads to an increase in serum calcium levels, typically ranging from 12-22 mg/dL. This condition can indeed cause mental disturbances including psychosis due to the high levels of calcium in the blood.
The other options, namely serum phosphorus of 3.1 mg/dL, serum magnesium of 2.1 mEq/L, and serum parathyroid hormone of 60 pg/mL do not directly indicate the risk of psychosis associated with hyperparathyroidism. Note: Psychosis is a severe mental disorder in which thought and emotions are so impaired that contact is lost with external reality.