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A nurse is preparing to administer oral potassium for a client who has a potassium level of 5.5 mEq/L. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Repeat the potassium level.

Withhold the medication.

Monitor for paresthesia.

Administer a hypertonic solution.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A rationale:

Repeating the potassium level is not the first action to take. The nurse already has a recent lab value.

Choice B rationale:

The nurse should withhold the medication. The normal range for potassium is 3.5-5.0 mEq/L. A level of 5.5 mEq/L is high, so giving more potassium could lead to hyperkalemia.

Choice C rationale:

Monitoring for paresthesia is important in hyperkalemia, but it is not the first action. The nurse should first prevent further increase in potassium levels.

Choice D rationale:

Administering a hypertonic solution is not relevant in this situation. It does not directly address the high potassium level.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

While calling 911 is important, it is not the first action the nurse should take. The nurse should first assess the victim’s condition.

Choice B rationale:

The first action when someone is choking is to ask if they can speak. If they can speak, it means air is still passing through the windpipe.

Choice C rationale:

The jaw-thrust maneuver is used to open the airway in an unconscious victim, not in a choking victim.

Choice D rationale:

Abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) are used when the victim cannot speak, indicating a complete airway obstruction.

A. Respiratory acidosis. B. Metabolic acidosis. C. Respiratory alkalosis. D. Metabolic alkalosis.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Respiratory acidosis is characterized by a high PaCO2 and a low pH. The client’s ABG results do not match this pattern.

Choice B rationale:

Metabolic acidosis is characterized by a low HCO3 and a low pH. The client’s ABG results do not match this pattern.

Choice C rationale:

Respiratory alkalosis is characterized by a low PaCO2 and a high pH. The client’s ABG results do not match this pattern.

Choice D rationale:

Metabolic alkalosis is characterized by a high HCO3 and a high pH. The client’s ABG results match this pattern. Normal values for pH, PaCO2, and HCO3 are 7.35-7.45, 35-45 mm Hg, and 22-26 mEq/L respectively.

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A nurse is preparing to administer oral potassium for a client who has a potassium level of 5.5 mEq/L. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

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