Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumPharmacological Therapies

A practical nurse is caring for an adult client who is prescribed daily oral furosemide and a daily oral potassium chloride supplement. While reviewing the morning laboratory results, the nurse notes a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L (mmol/L). Which of the following is the most appropriate action for the nurse to take?

  1. A
    Administer the potassium supplement as ordered because furosemide causes continuous potassium loss.
  2. B
    Verify the client's name and date of birth using two identifiers before giving the medication.
  3. Withhold the scheduled potassium chloride dose and promptly notify the registered nurse.Answer
  4. D
    Instruct the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) to monitor the client closely for cardiac arrhythmias.

Answer

Withhold the scheduled potassium chloride dose and promptly notify the registered nurse.
The correct action is to withhold the medication and notify the registered nurse. The normal range for serum potassium is 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L. A level of 6.2 mEq/L indicates severe hyperkalemia. Administering a potassium supplement in this state could induce fatal cardiac dysrhythmias. The practical nurse must recognize this critical value, intervene by holding the drug, and escalate the situation to the RN for further medical management.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Evaluate the client's morning laboratory results against normal physiological reference ranges.
The serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L is identified as critically high (hyperkalemia), as the normal adult range is 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L.
Identifying abnormal laboratory values is a crucial safety step before administering medications that directly affect those specific electrolyte levels.
2
Determine the appropriate clinical intervention based on the critical laboratory finding and the practical nurse scope of practice.
The nurse decides to withhold the potassium chloride supplement and immediately escalate the finding to the registered nurse.
Administering additional potassium to a client who is already experiencing severe hyperkalemia can precipitate life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias. Immediate reporting is required for prompt medical intervention.

Key Concept

Pre-administration safety checks and interpretation of critical laboratory values
Rate this question

Topics

Pharmacological Therapies

More questions from this topic