A nurse is caring for a client who arrives at the emergency department and reports vomiting and diarrhea for the past 3 days. The client's serum potassium level is 2.8 mEq/L. Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement first?

Listen to the client's bowel sounds.

Initiate cardiac monitoring for the client.

Check the client's hand grasps

Administer an IV potassium drip

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A reason:

Listening to the client's bowel sounds should not be implemented. While assessing bowel sounds is important, it is not the highest priority in this situation. The client's low serum potassium level indicates the potential for serious cardiac arrhythmias, so actions related to monitoring and addressing this electrolyte imbalance are more critical.

Choice B reason:

Initiate cardiac monitoring for the client is the correct answer. A serum potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L is significantly low and can lead to life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. Initiating cardiac monitoring is crucial to assess the client's heart rhythm and ensure that any potential abnormalities are identified promptly.

Choice C reason:

Check the client's hand grasps should not be implemented. Assessing the client's hand grasps can provide information about muscle strength, but it is not the immediate priority when the client has a critically low potassium level.

Choice D reason:

Administer an IV potassium drip should not be implemented. Administering IV potassium is important for correcting the potassium imbalance, but the priority is to assess and monitor the client's cardiac status first. Rapid administration of potassium can lead to cardiac arrhythmias, so it's important to ensure the heart's stability through cardiac monitoring before administering potassium.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A Reason:

Magnesium - While magnesium levels can affect cardiac function, hypomagnesemia is not a primary risk factor for digoxin toxicity.

Choice B Reason:

Potassium. An imbalance of potassium can increase the risk of digoxin toxicity. Hypokalaemia (low potassium levels) enhances the binding of digoxin to its target receptors in the heart, leading to an increased risk of digoxin toxicity. It's essential to monitor potassium levels in clients taking digoxin, as maintaining a stable potassium level helps prevent adverse effects associated with digoxin therapy.

Choice C Reason:

Phosphatase - Phosphate levels are not commonly associated with an increased risk of digoxin toxicity.

Choice D Reason:

Calcium - Calcium levels can affect cardiac function, but they are not a primary factor in the development of digoxin toxicity.

A. initiate a continuous IV insulin infusion B. Begin bicarbonate continuous IV infusion C. Check potassium levels D. Administer 0.9% sodium chloride

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason:

Initiating a continuous IV insulin infusion is the first priority. The priority intervention for a client in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is to normalize blood glucose levels and reverse the ketoacidosis. Initiating a continuous IV insulin infusion is essential to rapidly lower the elevated blood glucose levels and counteract the metabolic acidosis associated with DKA.

Choice B reason:

Beginning a bicarbonate continuous IV infusion is generally not the priority in DKA management. While metabolic acidosis is a concern in DKA, insulin therapy and fluid resuscitation are typically the initial focus of treatment.

Choice C reason:

Checking potassium levels is important since potassium imbalances are common in DKA. However, while this is important, it is not the first priority. It's important to ensure that insulin therapy has been initiated before addressing potassium levels.

Choice D reason:

Administering 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline) is a crucial part of DKA treatment but it is not the first priority as it helps correct dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. However, starting insulin therapy to address the underlying metabolic issue takes precedence.

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A nurse is caring for a client who arrives at the emergency department and reports vomiting and diarrhea for the past 3 days. The client's serum potassium level is 2.8 mEq/L. Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement first?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is caring for a client who is taking digoxin 0.125 mg PO daily and is at risk for developing digoxin toxicity. The nurse should monitor the client for an imbalance of which of the following electrolytes because it can increase the risk for digoxin toxicity?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a client in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which of the following is the priority intervention by the nurse?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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A nurse is caring for a client who arrives at the emergency department and reports vomiting and diarrhea for the past 3 days. The client's serum potassium level is 2.8 mEq/L. Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement first?