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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

Rationale:

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.

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A. Clavicle. B. Sternum. C. Aortic site. D. Lung apex.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Rationale:

A. The clavicle is an important landmark but not the ideal starting point for auscultating breath sounds.

B. The sternum is also not the correct starting location for breath sound auscultation.

C. The aortic site is unrelated to lung auscultation.

D. The lung apex, located above the clavicle, is the correct location to begin auscultating anterior breath sounds. This systematic approach ensures all areas of the lungs are assessed for normal and abnormal breath sounds.

A. Provide client with dietary teaching regarding a cardiac diet. B. Obtain client's vital signs every 4 hours when awake. C. Obtain a blood pressure reading before client gets out of bed. D. Measure and record the client's urinary output every day.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Rationale:

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.

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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)]

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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Take full exam for free 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)]

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When systematically auscultating a client's anterior breath sounds, the nurse should begin by placing the stethoscope over which location?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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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)]