What laboratory finding related to creatinine levels should be reported to the surgeon before surgery?

A creatinine level of 2.6 mg/dL is significant because it indicates potential impairment of kidney function. Normal creatinine levels typically range from around 0.6 to 1.2 mg/dL for adult males and slightly lower for females, so a value of 2.6 is above the normal range and suggests that the kidneys may not be filtering waste effectively. This raises concerns regarding the patient’s ability to handle the stresses of surgery, manage fluids, and process medications postoperatively. Reporting this value to the surgeon is important for risk assessment and may influence surgical decisions, including the need for further evaluation of renal function or monitoring during and after the procedure to prevent complications such as fluid overload or metabolic disturbances.

The other values, while they fall within normal or low ranges, do not indicate the same level of concern regarding kidney function. Knowing renal function status is critical in perioperative care to ensure patient safety throughout the surgical process.