An older adult client with a history of heart failure is prescribed oral furosemide daily.… — NCLEX-PN

An older adult client with a history of heart failure is prescribed oral furosemide daily. Upon reviewing the morning laboratory results, the nurse notes a serum potassium level of $2.8 \text{ mEq/L}$ . Which action should the nurse take first?

A
Administer the furosemide as prescribed and document the laboratory result.
B
Assess the client's blood pressure prior to giving the scheduled dose.
Withhold the furosemide dose and report the finding to the registered nurse.Cevap
D
Provide a potassium-rich snack and proceed with administering the medication.

Cevap

Withhold the furosemide dose and report the finding to the registered nurse.

The client's serum potassium level of

2.8 \text{ mEq/L}

is significantly below the normal range of

3.5

5.0 \text{ mEq/L}

, indicating severe hypokalemia. Furosemide is a potassium-wasting loop diuretic. Administering this medication would further deplete the client's potassium, significantly increasing the risk of life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias. The safest and most appropriate action to reduce client risk is to withhold the dose and notify the supervising registered nurse or healthcare provider immediately.

Adım Adım Çözüm

Identify the normal range for serum potassium.

The normal serum potassium level is between

3.5

and

5.0 \text{ mEq/L}

Establishing the baseline helps determine if the client's laboratory value is abnormal.

Evaluate the client's laboratory result against the normal range.

The client's level of

2.8 \text{ mEq/L}

is significantly below normal, indicating severe hypokalemia.

Recognizing critical laboratory values is a fundamental aspect of client safety and risk reduction.

Analyze the effect of the prescribed medication on the abnormal laboratory value.

Furosemide is a potassium-wasting loop diuretic, meaning it will cause the body to excrete even more potassium.

Understanding medication mechanisms prevents the administration of drugs that will worsen a client's condition.

Determine the safest nursing intervention.

The dose must be withheld and the finding escalated to the registered nurse or healthcare provider.

Prioritizing risk reduction prevents life-threatening complications, such as cardiac dysrhythmias associated with severe hypokalemia.

Anahtar Kavram

Laboratory Value Interpretation and Medication Safety

Soru

Cevap

Adım Adım Çözüm

Anahtar Kavram

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