A nurse is reviewing laboratory results for a client who has hypokalemia. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Decreased serum pH.

Increased serum calcium.

Decreased serum magnesium.

Increased serum bicarbonate.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A: Decreased serum pH. This is incorrect because hypokalemia usually causes increased serum pH, not decreased. This is because low potassium levels can lead to metabolic alkalosis, a condition where the blood is too alkaline due to loss of acid from the body. This can happen in cases of vomiting, diuretic use, or mineralocorticoid excess.

Choice B:

Increased serum calcium. This is incorrect because hypokalemia does not directly affect serum calcium levels. However, hypokalemia can cause hypomagnesemia, or low magnesium levels, which can in turn cause hypercalcemia, or high calcium levels. This is because magnesium is needed for the secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH), which regulates calcium balance in the body. Low magnesium levels can lead to increased PTH secretion and increased calcium reabsorption from the bones and kidneys.

Choice C:

Decreased serum magnesium. This is correct because hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia often occur together, especially in cases of chronic diarrhea, malabsorption, alcoholism, or diuretic use. This is because potassium and magnesium are both lost in the urine or stool when these conditions are present. Hypomagnesemia can also cause hypokalemia by impairing the reabsorption of potassium in the kidneys and increasing the entry of potassium into the cells.

Choice D:

Increased serum bicarbonate. This is incorrect because hypokalemia usually causes decreased serum bicarbonate, not increased. This is because low potassium levels can lead to metabolic acidosis, a condition where the blood is too acidic due to accumulation of acid in the body. This can happen in cases of diabetic ketoacidosis, renal tubular acidosis, or chronic kidney disease.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason: Shaving the hair around the insertion site is not recommended because it can cause skin irritation and increase the risk of infection.

Choice B reason:

Obtaining informed consent from the patient is important, but it is not a step that the nurse should perform before inserting the catheter. Informed consent should be obtained by the physician or advanced practice nurse who will perform the procedure.

Choice C reason:

Administering prophylactic antibiotics to the patient is not a routine practice for central venous catheter insertion. Antibiotics may be indicated for patients with certain risk factors, such as immunosuppression, but they should be prescribed by the physician or advanced practice nurse.

Choice D reason:

Placing the patient in Trendelenburg position is an important step that the nurse should perform before inserting the catheter. This position helps to distend the jugular vein and reduce the risk of air embolism during catheter insertion.

A. Hypercalcemia. B. Hypokalemia. C. Hypermagnesemia. D. Hypophosphatemia.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A: Hypercalcemia. This is a condition of having too much calcium in the blood. It can cause muscle weakness, constipation, nausea, vomiting, confusion, and irregular heartbeat. However, it does not typically cause paresthesias (tingling or numbness), diarrhea, or crackles in the lungs.

Choice B:

Hypokalemia. This is a condition of having too low potassium in the blood. It can cause muscle weakness, paresthesias, irregular heartbeat, shallow respirations, and increased risk of digoxin toxicity (a medication used to treat heart failure) It can also cause vomiting and diarrhea, which can worsen the potassium loss. This choice matches the symptoms of the patient.

Choice C:

Hypermagnesemia. This is a condition of having too much magnesium in the blood. It can cause muscle weakness, nausea, vomiting, low blood pressure, bradycardia (slow heart rate), and respiratory depression. However, it does not usually cause paresthesias, diarrhea, or crackles in the lungs.

Choice D:

Hypophosphatemia. This is a condition of having too low phosphate in the blood. It can cause muscle weakness, bone pain, rickets (softening of bones), and impaired cellular function. However, it does not typically cause paresthesias, irregular heartbeat, shallow respirations, or crackles in the lungs.

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A nurse is reviewing laboratory results for a client who has hypokalemia. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

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Explanation

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Explanation

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