A male patient has the following lab results: arterial pH of 7.29, platelet count of 200,000, WBC of 8,000, magnesium of 2.1. Which result is critical and should be reported to the physician immediately?

Explanation

• Normal arterial pH is 7.35–7.45. The patient is acidotic and may need intervention to correct the pH imbalance.

• Normal platelet count: 150,000–400,000

• Normal WBC: 4,000–10,000

• Normal magnesium: 1.3–2.1

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