The nurse is reinforcing discharge instructions to the client with pulmonary sarcoidosis. The nurse knows that the client understands the information if the client verbalizes which early sign of exacerbation?

A. Repeat blood serum potassium: While it’s important to monitor potassium levels, the immediate priority when preparing to administer potassium is ensuring safe administration practices, not rechecking levels before initiating therapy.

B. Educate client regarding high-potassium food sources: Client education is important for long-term management but is not a priority when preparing for intravenous potassium replacement in an acute setting.

C. Cardiac monitoring during infusion: Potassium affects cardiac conduction, and rapid correction can lead to arrhythmias. Continuous cardiac monitoring is necessary to detect any life-threatening arrhythmias during the infusion.

D. Ensure that the client's urine output is at least 1 mL/kg/hour: Adequate urine output ensures that the kidneys are functioning and capable of excreting excess potassium, reducing the risk of hyperkalemia.

E. Ensure potassium infusion is prepared with 5% dextrose solution: Potassium should not be mixed with dextrose, as it can increase insulin release, causing potassium to shift into cells and worsen hypokalemia.

A. Respiratory acidosis: COPD often results in impaired gas exchange and decreased removal of carbon dioxide, leading to its accumulation in the blood. This results in respiratory acidosis, characterized by elevated PaCO2 and a decreased pH.

B. Respiratory alkalosis: This condition is generally associated with hyperventilation, where excessive loss of carbon dioxide leads to a higher blood pH. It is less common in COPD, where hypoventilation is more typical.

C. Metabolic acidosis: While COPD can sometimes lead to metabolic acidosis, it is not the primary condition associated with the disease. Metabolic acidosis usually results from conditions affecting the kidneys or metabolic processes.

D. Metabolic alkalosis: This is characterized by an increased blood pH due to a loss of acid or an excess of bicarbonate. It is not typically associated with COPD.