A client with heart failure (HF) returns to the clinic two weeks after adjustments were made to the prescribed cardiac glycoside, diuretic, and potassium supplement. The client's lungs are clear, heart rate is 58 beats/minute, and serum potassium level is 2.9 mEq/L (2.9 mmol/L). Which action is most important for the nurse to implement?

Reference Range:

Potassium (K+) [3.5 to 5.0mEq/L (3.5 to 5.0 mmol/L)]

Potential Condition
Urinary Retention
The client's symptoms, including the urge to void, feeling "wet," and the bladder scan showing 600 mL of residual urine, suggest urinary retention. Urinary retention occurs when the bladder does not empty completely or at all, leading to a buildup of urine. This can happen postoperatively due to anesthesia effects, pain, or bladder dysfunction.
Actions to Take
• Request prescription for straight catheter

A straight catheter (intermittent catheterization) is used to drain the bladder and measure the amount of urine collected. It is often preferred over an indwelling catheter in cases of acute urinary retention where temporary relief and assessment of bladder function are needed.
• Insert indwelling urinary catheter
An indwelling urinary catheter might be needed if urinary retention persists and is not relieved by other methods. It allows continuous drainage of urine and can be useful in managing acute or severe cases of urinary retention.
Parameters to Monitor
• Amount of urine output
Monitoring urine output is crucial to evaluate how effectively the bladder is emptying after catheterization or other interventions. This helps in assessing whether the urinary retention is being resolved.
• Residual urine
Checking residual urine with a bladder scanner can help determine how much urine remains in the bladder after voiding. Persistent high residual urine levels would indicate ongoing retention issues that need further intervention.

A. Hematocrit measures the proportion of blood volume that is occupied by red blood cells. A hematocrit of 33% is lower than the normal range (42% to 52% for males and 37% to 47% for females). While this indicates anemia and reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, it is not directly related to the risk for infection.
B. White blood cells (WBCs) are crucial for the immune system and fighting infections. A WBC count of 1,500/mm³ is significantly below the normal range (5,000 to 10,000/mm³). This low WBC count, also known as leukopenia, indicates a decreased ability to fight infections, making the client highly susceptible to infections.
C. Hemoglobin measures the oxygen-carrying capacity of red blood cells. A hemoglobin level of 10 g/dL is below the normal range (14 to 18 g/dL), indicating anemia. While anemia affects overall health and can contribute to fatigue and weakness, it does not directly indicate the risk for infection.
D. The red blood cell (RBC) count measures the number of red blood cells in the blood. A count of 3.5 x 10^12/L is below the normal range (4.2 to 5.4 x 10^12/L), indicating a reduction in red blood cells and anemia. Like low hemoglobin, this value indicates anemia but does not directly reflect the risk for infection.