What laboratory finding should a nurse report for a client with rheumatoid arthritis?

In a client with rheumatoid arthritis, an erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) of 75 mm/hr is a significant finding that should be reported to the healthcare provider. ESR is a non-specific marker of inflammation in the body. In rheumatoid arthritis, we expect elevated levels due to the inflammatory processes occurring in the joints and surrounding tissues.

A normal ESR rate typically ranges from 0 to 20 mm/hr; thus, a value of 75 mm/hr indicates a heightened inflammatory response, which could signal exacerbation of the disease or complications that may require further evaluation and intervention. Timely reporting of such an elevation is crucial for managing treatment and monitoring disease progression in rheumatoid arthritis.

While other lab findings might provide useful information about the client's health status, they fall within the normal range and do not suggest an immediate concern related to the inflammatory process associated with rheumatoid arthritis.