ATI PN Custom Fall 2023 Term 2 Exam 3

ATI PN Custom Fall 2023 Term 2 Exam 3 ( 49 Questions)

A nurse is preparing to administer oral potassium for a client who has a potassium level of 5.5 mEq/L. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?


Correct Answer: B

Choice A rationale:

Repeating the potassium level is not the first action to take. The nurse already has a recent lab value.

Choice B rationale:

The nurse should withhold the medication. The normal range for potassium is 3.5-5.0 mEq/L. A level of 5.5 mEq/L is high, so giving more potassium could lead to hyperkalemia.

Choice C rationale:

Monitoring for paresthesia is important in hyperkalemia, but it is not the first action. The nurse should first prevent further increase in potassium levels.

Choice D rationale:

Administering a hypertonic solution is not relevant in this situation. It does not directly address the high potassium level.




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