The nurse in the ED is reviewing the EKG strip of a client who has prolonged vomiting. Which of the following abnormalities on the client's EKG should the nurse interpret as a sign of hypokalemia?

A. Encouraging denial of illness is incorrect as denial is not a healthy coping mechanism and may hinder treatment adherence.
B. Encouraging the patient to let staff have total control is incorrect because patient autonomy and involvement in care decisions enhance coping and emotional well-being.
C. Fostering trust in the interprofessional health care team is correct as it helps the patient feel supported and engaged in their care, reducing anxiety and promoting better coping strategies.
D. Telling the patient that everything will be all right is incorrect because it is a false reassurance that does not validate the patient's feelings or situation.

A. History of type 2 diabetes is not a rhythm characteristic seen on an ECG. While diabetes can contribute to the development of cardiovascular issues, it does not specifically describe the characteristics of a third-degree AV block on an ECG.
B. Interval and RR interval are irregular is incorrect. In third-degree AV block (also known as complete heart block), the atrial rate and ventricular rate are typically regular, but the atrial and ventricular rhythms are completely dissociated.
C. Shortened PR interval is incorrect. In third-degree AV block, there is no consistent PR interval because the atria and ventricles are functioning independently.
D. Inconsistently shaped P waves is incorrect. P waves may appear normal, but the relationship between P waves and QRS complexes is lost in third-degree AV block.
E. PR interval is constant is incorrect. In third-degree AV block, the PR interval is inconsistent or absent, as the atrial and ventricular rates are independent of each other.
F. Apical heart rate is irrelevant here. The ECG will show the characteristic findings of third-degree AV block rather than focusing on apical heart rate alone.
G. Fewer QRS complexes than P waves is correct. In third-degree AV block, the atrial impulses (P waves) are conducted normally, but the ventricles are completely dissociated from the atrial rhythm, leading to fewer QRS complexes than P waves, as the ventricles may be paced by an escape rhythm.
H. PP interval is equal to RR interval is not necessarily true in third-degree AV block. The PP and RR intervals may be different depending on the escape rhythm, but they are not usually exactly equal.