Final answer:
The laboratory value that might indicate a serious side effect of carbamazepine (Tegretol) is a low white blood cell count (4,000/mm3), which could indicate bone marrow suppression. Monitoring the WBC count is important to detect any potential serious side effects of carbamazepine.
Step-by-step explanation:
The laboratory value that might indicate a serious side effect of carbamazepine (Tegretol) is a WBC count of 4,000/mm3. The normal WBC count for adults is typically between 4,500 and 11,000 white blood cells per cubic millimeter of blood. A low WBC count may indicate bone marrow suppression, which can be a serious side effect of carbamazepine.
Carbamazepine is an anticonvulsant medication commonly used to treat epilepsy. While it is effective in controlling seizures, it can also have side effects, especially on the blood cells. One possible side effect is bone marrow suppression, which can lead to a decrease in the production of white blood cells. Monitoring the WBC count is important to detect any potential serious side effects of carbamazepine.
In this case, a WBC count of 4,000/mm3 falls below the normal range, indicating a decreased number of white blood cells. This could be a sign of bone marrow suppression, which may require adjusting the dosage or discontinuing the use of carbamazepine.