Which lab finding in an elderly client with end-stage renal disease should be reported immediately?

In the context of an elderly client with end-stage renal disease, the laboratory finding of a creatinine level of 2.4 mg/mL is particularly significant and warrants immediate reporting. Creatinine is a key indicator of kidney function; in patients with end-stage renal disease, elevated creatinine levels indicate a deterioration of renal function, as the kidneys are unable to effectively filter waste products from the blood.

While a creatinine level of 2.4 mg/mL may not seem extraordinarily high in a general population, for a patient with end-stage renal disease, this level represents an acute phase that can lead to serious complications if not addressed promptly. In such patients, the normal range is typically much lower due to their diminished kidney function, so even a slight elevation can be critical and requires immediate attention from healthcare providers.

In this scenario, the other laboratory findings—BUN of 30/dl, serum potassium level of 5.0 mEq/L, and hemoglobin level of 12 g/dL—may not signify urgent or critical changes. BUN levels can fluctuate and a value of 30/dl, while elevated, is not unusual for someone with end-stage renal disease. A potassium level of 5.0 mEq