A nurse is assessing an older adult client who is receiving IV therapy. The nurse should recognize that which of the following findings indicates fluid volume excess? (Select all that apply.)

Correct answer: C

A. This action would be appropriate if the potassium level were high, indicating hyperkalemia. However, since the client's potassium level is low, the nurse should administer the KCl as prescribed to address the hypokalemia. If there are any concerns about the rate or method of administration, or if the client shows signs of potassium-related complications, the nurse should then consult the provider.

B.Calling the lab to verify the client's results may seem like a reasonable action, but it's not the most appropriate in this scenario. Serum potassium levels are commonly measured accurately, and the nurse should prioritize clinical judgment based on the current potassium level in conjunction with the client's condition and medication regimen.

C. A serum potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L is below the normal range (3.5-5.0 mEq/L), indicating hypokalemia. Hypokalemia can have serious consequences, including muscle weakness, cardiac arrhythmias, and other complications. Administering potassium chloride (KCl) as prescribed is necessary to correct this deficiency and prevent potential adverse effects associated with low potassium levels.

D.Simply omitting the KCL dose without informing the healthcare provider of the client's low potassium level could lead to a missed opportunity for appropriate intervention. Documenting the omission is essential for accurate record-keeping, but it's crucial to communicate the situation to the provider for further guidance.

The nurse should include that interpreting data is included in the step of:

A. Analysis:Interpreting data is a key part of the analysis step in critical thinking. This involves examining and making sense of the information collected, identifying patterns, and determining their relevance to the problem or decision at hand.

The other options do not specifically focus on interpreting data:

B. Intuition: Intuition involves understanding or knowing something without the need for conscious reasoning, which is more about gut feelings rather than analyzing data.

C. Creativity: Creativity involves generating new ideas or solutions, which is not directly related to interpreting existing data.

D. Questioning: Questioning involves asking questions to clarify information or challenge assumptions, but it is not the step where data interpretation occurs.