Which lab result should prompt a nurse to notify the admitting healthcare provider for a client with bipolar disorder?

A prothrombin time of 13.9 seconds is significant because it falls outside the typical range of normal values, which is usually around 10 to 13 seconds. An elevated prothrombin time may suggest that a patient has impaired liver function, is at risk for bleeding, or has inadequate levels of vitamin K or clotting factors. In clients with bipolar disorder, medications such as mood stabilizers or antipsychotics can sometimes affect liver function or interact with clotting mechanisms, which makes monitoring coagulation parameters particularly important.

For a client with bipolar disorder, the healthcare provider needs to know about any potential risks associated with bleeding due to prolonged prothrombin time. Identifying these issues can lead to timely interventions, which may include further evaluation or modification of treatment to ensure patient safety.

In contrast, the other lab results provided do not signal an immediate need for intervention. A hematocrit of 47% typically indicates good hydration or erythrocytosis but isn’t immediately concerning. A serum sodium level of 140 mEq/L is within the normal range and would not require urgent attention. A lithium level of 1.2 mEq/L is also within the therapeutic range for lithium, suggesting that the medication