Which of the decisions are made in the scenario?

• A. Which lab to contact for the results
• B. Whether or not the results are out-of-range
• C. Whether or not the lab results are correct
• D. Whether or not to call the patients with the results

Answer: (B)

The key idea here is how lab results are interpreted and triaged. Deciding whether a result is out-of-range means recognizing when a value falls outside established reference limits, signaling that something may be clinically significant and needs attention. This interpretation is what drives the next actions—review by a clinician, potential confirmation or repeat testing, and appropriate follow-up—so patient safety and timely care are maintained.

The other options describe operational or verification steps rather than the interpretive decision that moves the workflow forward. Choosing which lab to contact is a logistical decision, determining if results are correct relates to quality control rather than interpretation, and deciding whether to call patients with results depends on policy and patient communication practices. The essential decision in this scenario is identifying out-of-range results to trigger the appropriate response.