The nurse is educating her patient on the pumping efficacy of the heart.
The nurse knows that the patient understands the teaching when the patient states:

Choice A rationale:

This statement is incorrect because the heart has four chambers: two atria and two ventricles.

Choice B rationale:

This statement is correct. The heart has two large chambers called ventricles that pump blood out of the heart.

Choice C rationale:

This statement is incorrect because the ventricles are the larger chambers of the heart, not the smaller ones.

Choice D rationale:

This statement is incorrect because the atria are the smaller chambers of the heart, not the larger ones.

Choice A rationale:

Repeating the potassium level is not the first action to take. The nurse already has a recent lab value.

Choice B rationale:

The nurse should withhold the medication. The normal range for potassium is 3.5-5.0 mEq/L. A level of 5.5 mEq/L is high, so giving more potassium could lead to hyperkalemia.

Choice C rationale:

Monitoring for paresthesia is important in hyperkalemia, but it is not the first action. The nurse should first prevent further increase in potassium levels.

Choice D rationale:

Administering a hypertonic solution is not relevant in this situation. It does not directly address the high potassium level.