Question

A nurse in a clinic is caring for a client who has been on long-term NSAID therapy to treat pericarditis. Which of the following laboratory findings should the nurse report to the provider?

A. Platelets 100,000/ mm3
B. Serum glucose 110 mg/dL
C. Serum creatinine 0.7 mg/dL
D. Amino alanine transferase (ALT) 30 IU/L

Answer 1

The nurse should report the finding of platelets 100,000/mm3 to the provider, as it indicates thrombocytopenia and is a potential complication of long-term NSAID therapy.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should report the laboratory finding of platelets 100,000/mm3 to the provider. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause platelet dysfunction and an increased risk of bleeding, which is of particular concern when platelet levels are low. This platelet count is significantly below the normal range (150,000 to 450,000/mm3), indicating thrombocytopenia, which could be a complication of long-term NSAID therapy and warrants immediate medical attention.