A 52-year-old man with type 2 diabetes mellitus and stage 3 chronic kidney disease arrives at the outpatient endocrine clinic for a fasting basic metabolic panel and a fingerstick glucose check before his follow-up visit. The LPN performs the point-of-care glucose test, obtaining a result of 58 mg/dL (reference 70-110 mg/dL fasting). The client reports feeling shaky and mildly diaphoretic but denies confusion. His temperature is 37.3°C (99.1°F), and he has no other complaints. The venous blood draw for the metabolic panel is scheduled next. What should the LPN do first?
- Draw the blood specimen first, then label it later at the nursing station.
- Focus on the client's slightly elevated temperature and delay addressing the glucose result.
- Report the low glucose result and client symptoms to the RN or provider immediately.
- Document the glucose result and symptoms in the chart and proceed with the scheduled draw without notifying the RN or health care provider.