The nurse reviews a client's laboratory results for a client admitted with gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding who has no visible hemorrhoids on inspection of the anal area. Which laboratory test indicates that the client’s bleeding is not yet resolved? Reference Range: Hematocrit (Hct): 42% to 52% Prothrombin time (PT): 11.0 to 12.5 seconds Glycosylated hemoglobin (A1C): 4% to 5.9%

Choice A reason: A1C reflects long-term glucose control and is unrelated to acute GI bleeding. Choice B reason: A change from positive to negative on a guaiac test suggests bleeding has resolved, not continued. Choice C reason: A drop in hematocrit from 36% to 32% indicates ongoing blood loss and unresolved bleeding. Choice D reason: An elevated PT may suggest coagulopathy but does not directly confirm active GI bleeding.