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Escalating a Critical Lab Value

AdvancedLab Values

Educational Use Only. This app is not intended to replace instructor guidance, institutional policies, clinical judgment, or professional medical training.

Clinical Scenario

At 03:00, the lab calls with a critical potassium result of 6.8 mEq/L for Mr. O'Brien, a 75-year-old male admitted with acute kidney injury. He is currently asymptomatic but has a history of heart failure and is on lisinopril and spironolactone. You need to call the on-call provider immediately.

S

Situation

Identify yourself, the patient, and state this is an urgent call about a critical lab value.

B

Background

Include the admission diagnosis, relevant medications, and recent lab trends.

A

Assessment

Report the critical value, any symptoms the patient is showing, and related labs (BUN, creatinine, ECG if available).

R

Recommendation

Request specific orders for treatment and monitoring, and suggest interventions based on protocol.

Educational Use Only — Not a substitute for professional training.