The nurse reviews a client's electrolyte results and notes that the potassium level is 5.4 mEq/L. What would the nurse look for on the cardiac monitor as a result of this laboratory value?

Narrow, peaked T waves

ST elevation

Peaked P waves

Prominent U waves

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A reason: Narrow, peaked T waves are a sign of hyperkalemia, which is a high level of potassium in the blood. Potassium is an electrolyte that affects the electrical activity of the heart. Hyperkalemia can cause the T waves, which represent the repolarization of the ventricles, to become narrow and peaked, indicating a rapid and excessive repolarization.

Choice B reason: ST elevation is a sign of myocardial infarction, which is a heart attack. It indicates that the myocardium, or the heart muscle, is damaged and deprived of oxygen. ST elevation is not related to the potassium level, but rather to the coronary artery blood flow.

Choice C reason: Peaked P waves are a sign of atrial hypertrophy, which is an enlargement of the atria, the upper chambers of the heart. It indicates that the atria are under increased pressure or workload. Peaked P waves are not related to the potassium level, but rather to the atrial function.

Choice D reason: Prominent U waves are a sign of hypokalemia, which is a low level of potassium in the blood. Potassium is an electrolyte that affects the electrical activity of the heart. Hypokalemia can cause the U waves, which represent the repolarization of the Purkinje fibers, to become prominent and visible, indicating a delayed and prolonged repolarization.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: This is correct because an electrolyte is a substance that dissociates into ions when dissolved in water, and can conduct electricity. Some examples of electrolytes in the body are sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride, and bicarbonate.

Choice B reason: This is incorrect because an electrolyte is not a solid or a gas, but a dissolved substance. Electrolytes are essential for maintaining fluid balance, nerve impulses, muscle contractions, and acid-base balance in the body.

A. Elderly patient with fever and nausea and vomiting B. Teenager who has intentionally limited fluid intake to avoid weight gain C. Young patient with diarrhea D. Infant who has a fever

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A: Elderly patients are at a higher risk for dehydration due to physiological changes that come with aging, such as decreased kidney function and physical changes to the body's water balance systems. Additionally, fever increases metabolic rate and fluid loss, and nausea and vomiting prevent adequate fluid intake, further increasing the risk of dehydration.

Choice B: While intentionally limiting fluid intake can lead to dehydration, the body's thirst mechanism in a healthy teenager is typically strong enough to prevent severe dehydration.

Choice C: Diarrhea can certainly lead to dehydration, but a young, otherwise healthy patient typically has a stronger ability to recover from fluid loss than an elderly patient.

Choice D: Infants are at a higher risk for dehydration than older children and adults due to their smaller body weight and higher turnover of water and electrolytes, but in this case, the elderly patient's multiple risk factors put them at a higher risk overall.

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The nurse reviews a client's electrolyte results and notes that the potassium level is 5.4 mEq/L. What would the nurse look for on the cardiac monitor as a result of this laboratory value?

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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