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.
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.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Tilt the head and lift the chin is a technique used to open the airway in an unconscious client, not a conscious one with an airway obstruction.
Choice B rationale:
Turning the client to the side is not the first action to take when a client is conscious and has an airway obstruction.
Choice C rationale:
The Heimlich maneuver is the appropriate action to take for a conscious client who has an airway obstruction. It works by creating an artificial cough, intended to force the obstruction out.
Choice D rationale:
A blind finger sweep should never be performed because it can push the obstruction further into the airway.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Decreased deep-tendon reflexes are not a common symptom of hypocalcemia. Normal calcium levels in the blood range from 8.5 to 10.2 mg/dL1.
Choice B rationale:
Skeletal muscle weakness is a symptom of hypercalcemia, not hypocalcemia.
Choice C rationale:
Hypoactive bowel sounds are associated with hypercalcemia, not hypocalcemia.
Choice D rationale:
Tingling of the lips is a common symptom of hypocalcemia. This occurs due to increased excitability of the nerves.
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