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% (0.42 to 0.52 volume fraction)] Prothrombin time (PT) [11.0 to 12.5 seconds (85%-100%)] Glycosylated hemoglobin (A1C) [4% to 5.9%]

A. A decrease in hematocrit from 36% to 32% suggests ongoing blood loss and that the client’s GI bleeding has not yet resolved. Hematocrit is a key indicator of the client’s blood volume and oxygen- carrying capacity. B. Hemoglobin A1C reflects long-term blood sugar control, not current blood loss. A change in A1C is not indicative of GI bleeding resolution. C. An increase in prothrombin time (PT) from 12 to 18 seconds indicates clotting abnormalities, which may occur with liver dysfunction or anticoagulant therapy, but it doesn't directly relate to GI bleeding resolution. D. A positive to negative change in the guaiac test (fecal occult blood test) would indicate that the blood in the stool is no longer present, suggesting resolution of bleeding, which doesn’t match the question’s context.