The nurse observes that a client is experiencing melena.Which serum laboratory test should the nurse monitor in response to this finding?

Choice A rationale White blood cell count (WBC) is typically monitored to assess for signs of infection or inflammation. While it’s important to monitor WBC count in certain situations, such as suspected infection, melena itself is not directly indicative of an increased risk of infection. Choice B rationale Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels can be elevated in cases of gastrointestinal bleeding due to the breakdown of blood proteins in the gut. However, BUN is not the primary test to monitor in response to melena. Choice C rationale Hematocrit is the correct answer. Hematocrit levels are crucial to monitor in cases of melena because they provide information about the client’s red blood cell volume and can indicate the extent of blood loss. Choice D rationale Glucose levels are not directly related to melena. Monitoring glucose levels is essential for managing diabetes and other metabolic conditions but is not relevant to assessing the impact of gastrointestinal bleeding.