A nurse is caring for a client who is ordered Potassium 40 mEq IV. On hand is Potassium Chloride 20 mEq/mL. What is the nurse’s next action?

Mix potassium in 1 liter of normal saline.

Call the physician for order clarification.

Prepare 20 mEq of Potassium to give IV push.

Give the medication as ordered.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

A. While potassium is typically diluted in IV fluids, the concentration and infusion rate must be clarified before administration. A standard dilution is 10 mEq in 100 mL or 40 mEq in 1L, but this must be verified.
B. Calling the physician for clarification is the safest step. IV potassium should never be given undiluted or as an IV push due to the risk of fatal cardiac arrhythmias.
C. IV push potassium is never appropriate as it can cause cardiac arrest.
D. Administering the undiluted 20 mEq/mL solution is dangerous and requires proper dilution before administration.

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Correct Answer is []

Explanation

Worsening of congestive heart failure is suggested by symptoms including labored breathing, coarse crackles, jugular vein distention (JVD), cool/clammy skin, and low oxygen saturation. These findings indicate pulmonary congestion due to fluid overload.
Applying O₂ at 6L/min helps improve oxygenation and alleviate respiratory distress. Lower-flow oxygen (such as 2L/min) may not be sufficient in acute heart failure exacerbation.
Monitoring respiratory rate is essential to track breathing effort and response to treatment.
Monitoring oxygen saturation helps assess oxygenation status and effectiveness of interventions.
Smoking cessation is important for long-term lung and cardiovascular health but does not address the acute issue.
WBC count and temperature are more relevant to infections like pneumonia rather than acute heart failure.

A. Hypernatremia B. Hypocalcemia C. Hypokalemia D. Hyperkalemia

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Hypernatremia is incorrect. Furosemide can cause hyponatremia rather than hypernatremia due to increased sodium excretion.
B. Hypocalcemia is incorrect. While loop diuretics can cause some calcium loss, hypocalcemia is less common than hypokalemia.
C. Hypokalemia is correct. Furosemide is a loop diuretic that increases potassium excretion, leading to a risk of hypokalemia, which can cause muscle weakness, arrhythmias, and other complications.
D. Hyperkalemia is incorrect. Furosemide promotes potassium excretion, making hyperkalemia unlikely.

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A nurse is caring for a client who is ordered Potassium 40 mEq IV. On hand is Potassium Chloride 20 mEq/mL. What is the nurse’s next action?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Correct Answer is []

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure who takes furosemide (Lasix) 20 mg daily at home and is receiving 40 mg of furosemide (Lasix) IV daily in the hospital. The nurse is aware that this patient is at risk for which electrolyte imbalance?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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