What laboratory finding should a nurse report after a client's craniotomy?

The appropriate laboratory finding to report after a client's craniotomy is a plasma osmolarity of 265 mOsm/kg. Following a craniotomy, monitoring plasma osmolarity is essential because significant changes can indicate complications such as fluid imbalance or cerebral edema.

Normal plasma osmolarity ranges from approximately 280 to 300 mOsm/kg. A finding of 265 mOsm/kg indicates hypotonicity, which could suggest the presence of conditions like hyponatremia or excessive fluid intake, conditions that are critical to address postoperatively. If osmolarity falls below normal levels, it reflects an potential for intracranial pressure (ICP) complications and can lead to alterations in the client's neuro status, which warrants immediate attention from the healthcare team.

The other values presented are within or slightly above the normal range, and therefore do not signify an urgent need for intervention. Recognizing abnormal osmolarity, such as the 265 mOsm/kg result, is crucial in ensuring that any potential issues are managed proactively, thus ensuring patient safety and optimizing recovery outcomes.