Which actions are considered best practices for the nurse to use during the administration of parenteral potassium to a client with a serum potassium level of 1.9 mEq/L (mmol/L)? (Select all that apply)
Ensuring that the concentration is no greater than 1 mEq/10mL (mmol/10 mL) of solution.
Checking IV access for blood return after the infusion.
Pushing the drug as a bolus slowly over 5 minutes.
Initiating the IV in a hand vein for rapid access.
Keeping the client NPO during drug treatment.
Using an IV controller to deliver the drug.
Correct Answer : B,F
Choice A reason: Potassium concentration should be 10-20 mEq/100mL, not 1 mEq/10mL, to avoid irritation. Using an IV controller is correct, making this incorrect, as it’s an unsafe dilution compared to the nurse’s best practices for safe parenteral potassium administration.
Choice B reason: Checking IV access for blood return post-infusion ensures the potassium was delivered correctly, preventing extravasation. This aligns with IV therapy safety, making it a correct best practice the nurse should follow when administering parenteral potassium to the client.
Choice C reason: Pushing potassium as a bolus is dangerous, risking cardiac arrhythmias; it must be infused slowly. IV controller use is correct, making this incorrect, as it’s unsafe compared to the nurse’s best practices for administering potassium to a hypokalemic client.
Choice D reason: Hand veins are unsuitable for potassium, which is irritating and requires larger veins. Checking blood return is correct, making this incorrect, as it risks complications compared to the nurse’s best practices for safe potassium administration in the client.
Choice E reason: Keeping the client NPO is unnecessary for potassium administration, which addresses hypokalemia, not digestion. IV controller use is correct, making this incorrect, as it’s irrelevant to the nurse’s best practices for delivering parenteral potassium safely to the client.
Choice F reason: Using an IV controller ensures a safe, steady infusion rate for potassium, preventing cardiac complications. This aligns with medication safety protocols, making it a correct best practice the nurse should employ when administering parenteral potassium to the hypokalemic client.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Pressuring the patient to proceed disregards her autonomy and right to revoke consent. Exploring her concerns respects her decision, making this incorrect, as it dismisses the patient’s expressed wish to cancel the mitral valve replacement surgery during transport.
Choice B reason: Highlighting rescheduling delays may coerce the patient, undermining her right to refuse. Addressing her fears validates her feelings, making this incorrect, as it prioritizes logistics over the patient’s autonomy and emotional state during the surgical consent process.
Choice C reason: Asking about the patient’s thoughts acknowledges her fear and respects her right to revoke consent, facilitating open communication. This aligns with ethical nursing practice, making it the correct response to support the patient’s decision regarding mitral valve replacement surgery.
Choice D reason: Dismissing the patient’s refusal with reassurance about medications ignores her autonomy and consent rights. Exploring her concerns is more appropriate, making this incorrect, as it fails to address the patient’s explicit wish to cancel the surgery during transport.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: A respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min with deep breathing is low but less concerning than 8 breaths/min with snoring, indicating potential airway obstruction. Respiratory depression is the primary opioid risk, making this incorrect compared to the more severe respiratory compromise.
Choice B reason: A respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min with snoring suggests severe opioid-induced respiratory depression, a life-threatening side effect requiring immediate intervention. This aligns with opioid safety monitoring, making it the correct patient most likely experiencing a critical opioid adverse effect.
Choice C reason: Elevated blood pressure and heart rate suggest pain or stress, not respiratory depression, the primary opioid danger. A low respiratory rate with snoring is more critical, making this incorrect, as it doesn’t indicate a life-threatening opioid side effect.
Choice D reason: A temperature of 100.5°F and being easily roused suggest mild fever, not respiratory depression. Snoring with a rate of 8 breaths/min is more dangerous, making this incorrect, as it doesn’t reflect a life-threatening opioid effect in the patient.
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