A nurse is preparing to administer oral potassium to a client who has a potassium level of 5.5 mEq/L. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Withhold the medication.
Administer a hypertonic solution.
Repeat the potassium level.
Monitor for paresthesia.
The Correct Answer is C
Before administering any medication, the nurse should confirm the potassium level to ensure that it is still elevated and needs to be treated. Potassium levels can fluctuate, so repeating the test will ensure that the client receives the appropriate treatment.
Options (a) Withhold the medication and (b) Administering a hypertonic solution may be appropriate interventions depending on the client's condition, but confirming the potassium level is the first step.
Option (d) Monitoring for paresthesia is important but not the first action that the nurse should take.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The nurse's instruction to the patient is to take the antibiotic for the full 7 days, even if symptoms improve in a few days. This is because the full course of antibiotics is needed to eliminate the bacteria causing the UTI, even if the patient starts to feel better before the end of the treatment course. Failure to complete the full course of antibiotics can lead to the development of antibiotic resistance and the recurrence of the infection. The other options are not appropriate or effective measures for managing a UTI with antibiotics.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Clients with acute gastritis are recommended to eat smaller, frequent meals instead of three large meals. This helps to reduce the workload on the digestive system and allows the stomach to heal. Therefore, option A is not a suitable nursing intervention for a client with acute gastritis.
Options b, c, and d are all appropriate nursing interventions for a client with acute gastritis. Observing stool characteristics can help to identify any bleeding or inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, evaluating intake and output can help to identify any fluid imbalances, and monitoring laboratory reports of electrolytes can help to identify any imbalances that may occur because of vomiting or diarrhea.
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