Question

a 43 - year - old man brings you the lab results of his annual employment physical examination. his blood work is normal except creatinine, which is slightly elevated. he says the examining doctor told him not to worry about it. he asks your opinion. which of the following would be an appropriate question for you to ask? a) did you eat beets within 24 hours of the blood draw? b) are you supplementing with vitamin c? c) did you have any sexual activity within 8 hours preceding the blood draw? d) did you eat a lot of meat within 24 hours preceding the blood draw? e) have you been exposed to cadmium lately?

Explanation:

Meat consumption within 24 hours of a blood draw can affect creatinine levels. Creatinine is a breakdown product of creatine phosphate in muscle, and dietary intake of meat (which contains creatine) can temporarily elevate serum creatinine levels.

• Eating beets (a) is more related to potential effects on urine color (not typically creatinine).
• Vitamin C supplementation (b) is not a common factor affecting creatinine levels in this context.
• Sexual activity (c) has no direct known impact on creatinine levels relevant here.
• Cadmium exposure (e) is a more long - term and less likely immediate cause compared to recent meat intake for a slightly elevated creatinine in an otherwise normal blood work scenario.

Answer:

d) Did you eat a lot of meat within 24 hours preceding the blood draw?