The nurse is assessing a client with hypocalcemia.
What clinical manifestation would the nurse expect to note in this client?

This is because intravenous potassium supplementation is indicated for patients with profound hypokalemia (plasma K+ <2.5 mmol/L) or cardiac arrhythmia. The rate of infusion should not exceed 10 mmol/hour to prevent complications such as hyperkalemia, cardiac arrhythmias, and phlebitis.

Choice A is wrong because monitoring urine output every 8 hours is not sufficient to prevent complications from intravenous potassium replacement therapy.

Urine output should be monitored more frequently (at least every 4 hours) to assess renal function and fluid balance.

Choice B is wrong because administering potassium via a bolus injection is dangerous and can cause fatal cardiac arrhythmias.

Potassium should never be given by intravenous push or intramuscular injection.

Choice D is wrong because encouraging the client to eat potassium-rich foods is not appropriate for patients receiving intravenous potassium replacement therapy.

Oral potassium supplementation is preferred for patients with mild to moderate hypokalemia (plasma K+ 2.5-3.5 mmol/L) who can eat and absorb oral potassium.

Potassium-rich foods include potatoes, legumes, juices, seafood, leafy greens, dairy, tomatoes and bananas.

Nasogastric suction removes gastric secretions that contain potassium, leading to a loss of potassium from the body. This can cause hypokalemia, which is a low level of potassium in the blood.

Choice A is wrong because Addison’s disease causes hyperkalemia, which is a high level of potassium in the blood.

Choice B is wrong because tissue damage can release potassium from the cells into the blood, causing hyperkalemia.

Choice C is wrong because uric acid level is not related to potassium level.

Uric acid is a waste product of purine metabolism that can cause gout or kidney stones if elevated.