During the morning medication pass, a client with pulmonary edema is scheduled to receive a mg oral dose of furosemide. The medication drawer contains mg scored tablets. The client's most recent basic metabolic panel reveals a serum potassium concentration of mEq/L ( mmol/L). Which action should the practical nurse (PN) take?
- Withhold the furosemide and immediately report the laboratory findings to the registered nurse (RN).Cevap
- BAdminister tablets of furosemide after scanning the client's identification band.
- CAdminister tablets of the medication to adjust for the client's current laboratory values.
- DAdminister a prescribed intravenous push dose of potassium chloride to correct the electrolyte deficit.
Cevap
The correct action is to withhold the furosemide and immediately report the laboratory findings to the registered nurse (RN).
Furosemide is a loop diuretic that promotes the renal excretion of potassium. A serum potassium level of mEq/L indicates severe hypokalemia, as the normal reference range is generally to mEq/L. Administering a potassium-wasting medication to a client in this state could precipitate life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias. Safe nursing practice dictates that the PN must recognize this critical finding, withhold the scheduled dose, and promptly notify the supervising RN or healthcare provider to ensure client safety.
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Anahtar Kavram
Pre-administration assessment and recognizing critical laboratory values within the practical nursing scope of practice.