What should a physical therapist do if a patient presents with a hemoglobin level less than 8 g/dL?

When a patient presents with a hemoglobin level less than 8 g/dL, it is crucial for a physical therapist to recognize the implications of this low level. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to the body's tissues. A hemoglobin level below this threshold indicates severe anemia, which can lead to inadequate oxygen delivery to the muscles and other organs. As a result, patients are likely to experience significant fatigue, weakness, and decreased tolerance for physical activity.

Limiting activity is essential to ensure patient safety and to prevent exacerbation of symptoms such as fatigue and dyspnea. Engaging in high-intensity exercise or even moderate activities might put excessive strain on the cardiovascular system, potentially leading to complications such as syncope or exacerbation of fatigue. Therefore, it is a standard and prudent approach to limit the patient's activity level while monitoring their response and condition.

While assessing medication changes or scheduling surgery could potentially be relevant in other circumstances, they are not immediate actions that address the acute concern of low hemoglobin levels. Similarly, increasing activity would be inappropriate and could pose risks to the patient’s health given their current state of anemia. Thus, limiting activity and anticipating fatigue aligns with the best practices of patient safety and management in the