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?

Choice A reason: This is incorrect because bradypnea is a term for slow breathing, usually less than 12 breaths per minute. The client is breathing rapidly, not slowly.

Choice B reason: This is correct because Kussmaul's respirations are a type of breathing pattern that is deep, regular, and rapid, usually more than 20 breaths per minute. Kussmaul's respirations are a sign of metabolic acidosis, which occurs in diabetic ketoacidosis due to the accumulation of ketones in the blood. The client is trying to exhale the excess carbon dioxide and lower the acidity of the blood.

Choice C reason: This is incorrect because Cheyne-Stokes respirations are a type of breathing pattern that is irregular, with periods of apnea (no breathing) alternating with periods of rapid breathing. Cheyne-Stokes respirations are a sign of cerebral dysfunction, such as stroke, brain injury, or coma.

Choice D reason: This is incorrect because Biot's respirations are a type of breathing pattern that is irregular, with periods of apnea (no breathing) interspersed with periods of normal breathing. Biot's respirations are a sign of brainstem damage, such as meningitis, encephalitis, or head trauma.

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.