When are hemoglobin levels and serum electrolytes indicated to be ordered?

Ordering hemoglobin levels and serum electrolytes is primarily focused on identifying conditions that could affect patient outcomes during surgical procedures. While any patient undergoing a surgical procedure may warrant these tests, they are especially critical in the context of potential anemia and electrolyte imbalance.

In patients with symptomatic anemia, where symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, or pallor are present, these tests can provide crucial information about the patient's hemoglobin levels, assisting in the determination of surgical risk and the need for possible blood transfusions or other interventions. Conversely, if there is no history suggestive of anemia and the patient is asymptomatic, the immediate necessity for these tests diminishes.

Thus, ordering hemoglobin and serum electrolytes is most strongly indicated when there is a suggestive history of anemia or symptoms related to it. This targeted approach minimizes unnecessary testing and focuses on patients who may directly benefit from the results, ultimately enhancing patient safety and optimizing surgical care.