A nurse is preparing to perform an abdominal assessment on a child. Identify the sequence the nurse should follow. (Move the steps into the box on the right, placing them in the selected order of performance. Use all the steps.)

A. Inverted P wave: An inverted P wave may indicate atrial depolarization abnormalities but is not typically associated with hypokalemia. It can be seen in conditions such as atrial enlargement or atrial ischemia. However, in hypokalemia, the P wave may become flattened or have a decreased amplitude, but it is less likely to be inverted.
B. Wide QRS: A wide QRS complex may indicate conduction abnormalities or bundle branch blocks, but it is not specifically associated with hypokalemia. Wide QRS complexes are more commonly seen in conditions such as bundle branch blocks or electrolyte imbalances like hyperkalemia. Hypokalemia tends to cause a prolongation of the QT interval rather than widening of the QRS complex.
C. Elevated ST segment: An elevated ST segment is typically associated with myocardial injury or infarction, not hypokalemia. It can be indicative of conditions such as myocardial ischemia or pericarditis. In hypokalemia, ST segment changes are more likely to be flattened or depressed rather than elevated.
D. Abnormally prominent U wave: An abnormally prominent U wave is a classic EKG finding in hypokalemia. Hypokalemia prolongs the repolarization phase of the cardiac action potential, leading to the appearance of U waves following the T wave. These U waves can become more pronounced as potassium levels decrease. Therefore, an abnormally prominent U wave is a significant indicator of hypokalemia on an EKG, especially in a patient with prolonged vomiting, which can lead to potassium depletion. Thus, it is the most pertinent abnormality to interpret in this context.

A. Requiring staff nurses to demonstrate competency by passing a medication administration examination: While competency assessments are essential, initiating this as the first strategy may not address the root causes of medication administration errors. It's important to first understand the specific factors contributing to errors by reviewing the events leading up to each error before implementing competency assessments. This allows for a targeted approach to addressing gaps in knowledge or skills related to medication administration.
B. Providing an in-service on medication administration to all nurses: While education and training are valuable components of error reduction strategies, providing an in-service as the first step may not address the underlying system issues contributing to medication errors. Education should complement other interventions aimed at improving the medication administration process, such as system redesign or standardization of practices.
C. Developing a quality improvement program for nurses involved in medication administration errors: Implementing a quality improvement program for nurses involved in errors is important for learning from mistakes and preventing recurrence. However, developing such a program should be informed by a thorough analysis of the events leading to errors. Without understanding the root causes, it may be challenging to develop effective improvement initiatives.
D. Reviewing the events leading up to each medication administration error: This strategy is the most appropriate initial step. Conducting a detailed review of each error allows the committee to identify patterns, common factors, and system issues contributing to medication errors. By understanding the specific circumstances surrounding each error, the committee can develop targeted interventions to address root causes and prevent future errors. This approach aligns with the principles of continuous quality improvement, focusing on data-driven analysis and proactive problem-solving.