A nurse received an order to administer potassium chloride to a client who has a potassium level of 5.8 mEq/L. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Hold the medication and Inform the provider of the client's potassium level.
Obtain an order to increase the dosage of the medication.
Hold the medication until the client has his evening meal.
Give the medication as prescribed.
The Correct Answer is A
Rationale:
A. Hold the medication and inform the provider of the client's potassium level: A potassium level of 5.8 mEq/L indicates hyperkalemia (normal range is 3.5–5.0 mEq/L). Administering potassium chloride in this situation could worsen the hyperkalemia and lead to serious cardiac complications. The provider should be notified immediately.
B. Obtain an order to increase the dosage of the medication: This would be unsafe and inappropriate since the potassium level is already elevated.
C. Hold the medication until the client has his evening meal: Delaying the dose does not address the issue. The problem is the elevated potassium, not the timing.
D. Give the medication as prescribed: Administering potassium in the presence of hyperkalemia is dangerous and could result in life-threatening arrhythmias.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Diarrhea causes loss of bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) from the intestines, leading to metabolic acidosis. This is a common non-anion gap cause of metabolic acidosis.
B. While salicylate intoxication can initially cause respiratory alkalosis, it may later lead to mixed acid-base disturbances, including metabolic acidosis. However, it is not the most direct or common cause in this context.
C. Hyperventilation causes respiratory alkalosis, not metabolic acidosis, due to excessive loss of CO₂.
D. Vomiting leads to loss of gastric acid (HCl), which typically results in metabolic alkalosis, not acidosis
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Chloride levels often decrease along with sodium, as they are closely related electrolytes. Hyponatremia is commonly accompanied by hypochloremia.
B. Calcium levels are regulated independently of sodium and are not typically affected by hyponatremia.
C. Potassium may be normal, low, or even high depending on the underlying cause; it is not consistently low with hyponatremia.
D. Magnesium levels do not typically mirror sodium levels and are regulated separately.
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