The client's laboratory results indicate that the serum potassium level is 2.5 mEq/L (2.5 mmol/L). Which action should the nurse take?

Reference Range:

Potassium (K+) [3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L (3.5 to 5.0 mmol/L)]

Prepare to administer a glucose, then insulin, then potassium infusion.

Instruct the client to increase daily intake of potassium rich foods.

Inform the healthcare provider of the need for potassium replacement.

Change the plan of care to include hourly urinary output measurements.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

A. The combination of glucose and insulin is used to shift potassium into cells, which would lower serum potassium levels further; this is not appropriate for treating hypokalemia.
B. Increasing dietary intake of potassium is important but not sufficient to correct a serum potassium level as low as 2.5 mEq/L, which requires more immediate intervention.
C. A potassium level of 2.5 mEq/L is critically low and can lead to life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. The healthcare provider should be informed immediately to initiate potassium replacement therapy, likely via intravenous infusion.
D. Hourly urinary output measurements may be useful but are not the immediate priority in treating severe hypokalemia.

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 C

Explanation

A. Dietary teaching is important for long-term health but does not address the immediate issue of dizziness upon standing.
B. Monitoring vital signs every 4 hours is important, but obtaining blood pressure before standing is crucial to prevent falls and manage orthostatic hypotension.
C. Measuring blood pressure before the client stands helps identify orthostatic hypotension, which could be causing weakness and dizziness.
D. Measuring urinary output is relevant but not immediately pertinent to the client's dizziness and weakness on standing.

A. An area of erythema that is painful to touch. B. Shallow open ulcer with a red pink wound bed. C. A deep pocket of infection and necrotic tissues. D. Visible subcutaneous tissue with sloughing.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. A stage 2 pressure injury is more than just erythema; it involves partial-thickness skin loss.
B. A stage 2 pressure injury presents as a shallow open ulcer with a red or pink wound bed, indicating partial-thickness loss of dermis.
C. A deep pocket of infection and necrotic tissue describes a stage 3 or 4 pressure injury, not stage 2.
D. Visible subcutaneous tissue and sloughing are characteristics of stage 3 or 4 pressure injuries, not stage 2.

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

The client's laboratory results indicate that the serum potassium level is 2.5 mEq/L (2.5 mmol/L). Which action should the nurse take? Reference Range: Potassium (K+) [3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L (3.5 to 5.0 mmol/L)]

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

During the shift change report, the nurse is told that a client has a stage 2 pressure injury. Which ulcer appearance is most likely to be observed?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

An older client is admitted to the medical-surgical unit after falling and fracturing the left hip. The nurse is reviewing written preoperative instructions with the client and spouse. Which action should the nurse implement while providing these instructions?

The home care nurse has identified the nursing problem, "risk for hopelessness" for a client who is terminally ill with a life expectancy of several days. Which instruction should the nurse provide to the client's spouse?

A client who is in shock is receiving a continuous IV infusion of a sympathomimetic dopamine. Which intervention should the nurse include in this client's plan of care?

A client asks the nurse to look at a mole located on the back. The client tells the nurse that the mole has changed from brown to black and enlarged in size. Which is the priority nursing action?

The nurse is preparing to administer lorazepam 1.5 mg IV to an anxious preoperative client. The medication is available in a 2 mg/mL vial. Which action should the nurse perform with the remainder of the medication?

In assessing a client's neck, the nurse hears a blowing swish when auscultating the area over the left carotid artery, but hears no sound over the right carotid artery. How should the nurse document this finding?

A male client has been receiving the antibiotic gentamicin sulfate, IV piggyback every 12 hours for several days. Which observation by the nurse indicates that the client may be experiencing an adverse effect of gentamicin? Reference Range: White Blood Cell [5000 to 10,000/mm3 (5 to 10 x 109/L)]

To detect common untoward effects of phenytoin, the nurse should assess a client with a seizure disorder for which sign or symptom?

The client's laboratory results indicate that the serum potassium level is 2.5 mEq/L (2.5 mmol/L). Which action should the nurse take?

Reference Range:

Potassium (K+) [3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L (3.5 to 5.0 mmol/L)]