A patient has been admitted with a potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L. The nurse would expect which of the following electrocardiogram (ECG) changes as a result of this laboratory value?

U waves.

Absent P waves.

Elevated T waves.

Inverted QRS complexes.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A reason:

U waves are not a sign of high potassium level, but rather of low potassium level (hypokalemia) Hypokalemia can cause ST segment depression, T wave flattening or inversion, and prominent U waves.

Choice B reason:

Absent P waves are not a sign of high potassium level, but rather of a severe conduction block or atrial fibrillation. High potassium level can cause P wave widening or flattening, and PR prolongation, but not complete disappearance of P waves.

Choice C reason:

Elevated T waves are the most common and earliest sign of high potassium level (hyperkalemia) Hyperkalemia can cause tall, peaked, symmetric T waves that may merge with the QRS complex. This is the correct answer.

Choice D reason:

Inverted QRS complexes are not a sign of high potassium level, but rather of ventricular arrhythmias or myocardial infarction. High potassium level can cause QRS widening and bizarre QRS morphology, but not inversion.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason:

Hypernatremia is not a likely complication of fluid therapy for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) Hypernatremia occurs when there is a loss of water or an excess of sodium in the body. Fluid therapy for DKA usually involves normal saline and dextrose, which do not cause hypernatremia. In fact, fluid therapy may help correct the dehydration and hyperosmolality that are associated with DKA.

Choice B reason:

Hyperkalemia is also not a likely complication of fluid therapy for DKA. Hyperkalemia occurs when there is an excess of potassium in the blood. Fluid therapy for DKA usually involves insulin infusion, which helps lower the potassium level by driving it into the cells. Insulin also helps lower the blood glucose level and reverse the acidosis that are characteristic of DKA.

Choice C reason:

Fluid volume deficit is a common manifestation of DKA, not a complication of fluid therapy. Fluid volume deficit occurs when there is a loss of fluid and electrolytes from the body due to osmotic diuresis, vomiting, and increased respiratory rate. Fluid therapy for DKA aims to restore the fluid volume and correct the electrolyte imbalances that result from fluid loss.

Choice D reason:

Cerebral edema is a potential complication of fluid therapy for DKA, especially in children and young adults. Cerebral edema occurs when there is an increase in intracranial pressure due to swelling of the brain tissue. Fluid therapy for DKA may cause cerebral edema by altering the osmotic gradient between the blood and the brain, leading to fluid shifts into the brain cells. Cerebral edema can cause neurological symptoms such as headache, confusion, seizures, and coma.

A. Hypernatremia. B. Hypokalemia. C. Hyperchloremic acidosis. D. Hypochloremic alkalosis.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason:

Hypernatremia is not a likely complication of sodium chloride and potassium chloride IV fluids, because these fluids do not contain excessive amounts of sodium. Hypernatremia is more likely to occur with hypertonic saline solutions or excessive sodium intake.

Choice B reason:

Hypokalemia is not a likely complication of sodium chloride and potassium chloride IV fluids, because these fluids contain potassium, which can help prevent or correct hypokalemia. Hypokalemia is more likely to occur with diuretic therapy, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Choice C reason:

Hyperchloremic acidosis is a likely complication of sodium chloride and potassium chloride IV fluids, because these fluids can increase the serum chloride level and lower the serum bicarbonate level, resulting in a metabolic acidosis. Hyperchloremic acidosis can also worsen the client's existing metabolic alkalosis by impairing the renal excretion of hydrogen ions.

Choice D reason:

Hypochloremic alkalosis is not a likely complication of sodium chloride and potassium chloride IV fluids, because these fluids do not cause a loss of chloride or an increase in bicarbonate. Hypochloremic alkalosis is more likely to occur with vomiting, gastric suctioning, or diuretic therapy.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

A patient has been admitted with a potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L. The nurse would expect which of the following electrocardiogram (ECG) changes as a result of this laboratory value?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is caring for a client who has diabetic ketoacidosis and is receiving an insulin infusion and IV fluids containing dextrose and normal saline. The nurse should monitor for which of the following complications of fluid therapy?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a client who has metabolic alkalosis and is receiving sodium chloride and potassium chloride IV fluids. The nurse should monitor for which of the following complications of this therapy?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

The nurse is preparing to hang a bag of 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline) for a patient who has hyponatremia. The nurse knows that this type of solution is:

A nurse is planning care for a client who has overhydration and hyponatremia. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan? (Select all that apply.)

A nurse is caring for a client who has dehydration due to vomiting and diarrhea. The client's blood pressure is 90/60 mm Hg, pulse is 110/min, and respirations are 22/min. The nurse should anticipate a prescription for which of the following types of IV fluids?

A patient has been admitted with a potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L. The nurse would expect which of the following electrocardiogram (ECG) changes as a result of this laboratory value?

The nurse is preparing to insert a central venous catheter into a patient's right internal jugular vein using ultrasound guidance. What is an important step that the nurse should perform before inserting the catheter?

A nurse is administering dextrose 10% in water (D10W) to a patient who needs some nutrition with glucose. Which of the following assessments should the nurse perform? (Select all that apply.)

A nurse is caring for a client who has metabolic alkalosis as a result of prolonged nasogastric suctioning. The nurse should expect which of the following arterial blood gas values?