A nurse in a long-term care facility is reviewing a client's laboratory results. The client's potassium level is 5.8 mEq/L (3.5 to 5 mEq/L). Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

A. "Sarcoptes scabiei." Sarcoptes scabiei is the parasitic mite that causes scabies, a contagious skin condition. While scabies is highly transmissible through direct contact, it is not a nationally notifiable disease and does not require mandatory reporting to the state health department.
B. "Impetigo contagiosa." Impetigo is a bacterial skin infection commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes. Although it is contagious, it is not classified as a reportable disease at the national level, though some local jurisdictions may require reporting in outbreak situations.
C. "Neisseria gonorrhoeae." Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae and is a nationally notifiable disease. Healthcare providers are required to report cases to public health authorities for surveillance, tracking, and prevention efforts, as untreated gonorrhea can lead to serious complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and neonatal infections.
D. "Human papillomavirus." Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection, with multiple strains that can cause genital warts and cervical cancer. Although HPV is a significant public health concern, individual cases are not typically required to be reported to state health departments unless part of a specific surveillance program.

D. Place the client in high Fowler’s position. Positioning the client upright maximizes lung expansion and improves oxygenation. This is the first step to alleviate respiratory distress before additional interventions.

A. Administer oxygen to the client. Once the client is positioned appropriately, providing supplemental oxygen helps increase oxygen saturation and relieve hypoxia. The nurse should titrate oxygen as needed according to facility protocols or provider orders.

B. Notify the charge nurse. After immediate interventions are in place, the nurse should inform the charge nurse to ensure further assessment and necessary medical interventions. The charge nurse may escalate care or contact the provider for additional management.

C. Document client findings and interventions taken. Once the client’s condition has been addressed and reported, documentation is necessary to record assessment findings, interventions provided, and the client's response. Accurate documentation ensures continuity of care and legal protection.