A nurse is reviewing the laboratory values for a client who has heart failure and is taking bumetanide. For which of the following results should the nurse notify the provider?
Calcium 10 mg/dL
Sodium 136 mEq/L
Potassium 2.3 mEq/L
Magnesium 1.4 mEq/L
The Correct Answer is C
A. Calcium 10 mg/dL: This calcium level is within the normal range (8.6-10.2 mg/dL) and does not require intervention.
B. Sodium 136 mEq/L: This sodium level is within the normal range (135-145 mEq/L).
C. Potassium 2.3 mEq/L: This potassium level is critically low; bumetanide is a loop diuretic that can cause hypokalemia, which can lead to dangerous cardiac dysrhythmias.
D. Magnesium 1.4 mEq/L: While slightly low, this magnesium level is only mildly decreased and not as immediately concerning as the potassium level.
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Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Bounding peripheral pulses: Hypokalemia typically causes weak, thready pulses rather than bounding ones.
B. Decreased deep-tendon reflexes: Hypokalemia can cause muscle weakness and decreased deep-tendon reflexes due to impaired neuromuscular function.
C. Hyperactive bowel sounds: Hypokalemia generally causes decreased or hypoactive bowel sounds due to slowed smooth muscle contraction.
D. Restlessness: Restlessness is not a typical sign of hypokalemia; hypokalemia more commonly causes weakness, lethargy, or fatigue.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Suggest that the client rests before eating the meal. Although rest can help with nausea, it does not address the potential issue of digoxin toxicity, which can cause nausea.
B. Check the client's vital signs. Checking vital signs, especially heart rate, is the priority because nausea can indicate digoxin toxicity, which affects heart function.
C. Request a dietary consult. A dietary consult may be helpful if the client continues to refuse meals, but it does not address the immediate potential for digoxin toxicity.
D. Request an order for an antiemetic. Although an antiemetic may help with nausea, assessing for toxicity takes priority.