A 36-year-old client is admitted to the hospital with symptoms of fatigue, pallor, and shortness of breath. Laboratory tests reveal a hemoglobin level of 10 g/dL. The healthcare provider notes that a normal hemoglobin level for an adult female is typically between 12 and 16 g/dL. The healthcare team decides to prepare for possible blood transfusion if the client's hemoglobin drops below a critical level of _____ g/dL.