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

Withhold the medication.

Administer a hypertonic solution.

Repeat the potassium level.

Monitor for paresthesia.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Before administering any medication, the nurse should confirm the potassium level to ensure that it is still elevated and needs to be treated. Potassium levels can ﬂuctuate, so repeating the test will ensure that the client receives the appropriate treatment.

Options (a) Withhold the medication and (b) Administering a hypertonic solution may be appropriate interventions depending on the client's condition, but confirming the potassium level is the first step.

Option (d) Monitoring for paresthesia is important but not the first action that the nurse should take.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Furosemide is a loop diuretic that works by blocking the reabsorption of sodium and chloride in the ascending loop of Henle in the kidney, leading to increased urine output. However, this medication can also cause potassium loss through increased urinary excretion, which can lead to hypokalemia (low potassium level). Hypokalemia can cause confusion, weakness, and other neurological symptoms.

The normal range for serum potassium is 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L. A potassium level of 2.9 mEq/L is below the normal range and is considered hypokalemic. Therefore, the nurse should correlate the client's confusion with the low potassium level and notify the healthcare provider to adjust the medication or provide potassium supplements if indicated.

A. fasting blood glucose level. B. oral glucose tolerance test. C. urine dipstick for glucose. D. glycosylated hemoglobin level.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The patient has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and reports following a reduced-calorie diet but has not lost any weight. This suggests that the patient may not be following the diet as prescribed or may have other factors aﬀecting their blood glucose levels. Additionally, the patient did not bring their glucose monitoring record, which is an important tool for assessing blood glucose control over time.

In this situation, obtaining a fasting blood glucose level or an oral glucose tolerance test may provide a snapshot of the patient's blood glucose level at the time of the test, but these tests do not provide information about blood glucose control over the past few months. A urine dipstick for glucose is a less reliable method for assessing blood glucose control and is not recommended for routine monitoring.

Therefore, obtaining a glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level is the most appropriate test in this situation. HbA1c reﬂects the average blood glucose level over the past 2-3 months and is recommended for routine monitoring of blood glucose control in patients with diabetes. This test can provide valuable information about the eﬀectiveness of the patient's diet and any other interventions aimed at controlling their blood glucose levels.

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

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A client is taking furosemide (Lasix), a diuretic. and becomes confused. Which potassium level does the nurse correlate with this condition?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

During a clinic visit 3 months following a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, the patient reports following a reduced-calorie diet. The patient has not lost any weight and did not bring the glucose-monitoring record. The nurse will plan to obtain a(n)

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

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