A practical nurse (PN) is preparing to administer scheduled morning medications to a clien… — NCLEX-PN

A practical nurse (PN) is preparing to administer scheduled morning medications to a client with a history of heart failure. The medication administration record (MAR) includes a prescription for furosemide $40\text{ mg}$ orally. Upon reviewing the client's morning laboratory results, the PN notes a serum potassium level of $2.8\text{ mEq/L}$ . Which of the following is the most appropriate action for the PN to take?

Withhold the furosemide and immediately report the potassium level to the registered nurse (RN).Cevap
B
Administer the furosemide as prescribed and closely monitor the client for signs of muscle weakness.
C
Perform an independent, comprehensive cardiac assessment before deciding whether to give the medication.
D
Administer a prescribed intravenous push of potassium chloride to correct the deficit before giving the furosemide.

Cevap

The correct action is to withhold the furosemide and immediately report the critically low potassium level to the registered nurse (RN).

Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes the kidneys to excrete excess fluid and electrolytes, prominently potassium. A serum potassium level of

2.8\text{ mEq/L}

indicates significant and dangerous hypokalemia (normal range is

3.5

5.0\text{ mEq/L}

). Administering furosemide would further deplete the client's potassium reserves, placing them at immediate risk for life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias. Within the practical nurse scope of practice, the mandatory action is to withhold the dose and rapidly communicate this critical laboratory finding to the registered nurse (RN) or healthcare provider so that corrective interventions can be ordered.

Adım Adım Çözüm

Identify the medication's mechanism of action.

Furosemide is recognized as a loop diuretic that promotes the renal excretion of potassium.

Understanding the drug's physiological effect is essential to determine its safety based on current lab results.

Evaluate the provided laboratory values against standard physiological ranges.

The client's serum potassium level is

2.8\text{ mEq/L}

, which is critically low compared to the normal range of

3.5

5.0\text{ mEq/L}

Comparing current data to normal parameters reveals that the client is experiencing severe hypokalemia.

Select the appropriate nursing intervention within the PN scope of practice.

The scheduled furosemide dose is withheld, and the abnormal finding is promptly escalated to the supervising RN.

Administering the medication would cause further harm, and it is the PN's responsibility to report critical data to the RN for clinical decision-making.

Anahtar Kavram

Pharmacological safety, hypokalemia recognition, and practical nurse scope of practice regarding critical laboratory values.

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