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 diffusion is the movement of solutes (dissolved substances) from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration, until equilibrium is reached.

Choice B reason: This is incorrect because hydrostatic pressure is the force exerted by a fluid against a wall or a membrane. Hydrostatic pressure can drive the movement of fluid and solutes across a membrane, but it is not the movement itself.

Choice C reason: This is correct because osmosis is the movement of a pure solvent (liquid) across a semipermeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration, until equilibrium is reached.

Choice D reason: This is incorrect because ATP is not a movement, but a molecule. ATP stands for adenosine triphosphate, which is the main source of energy for cellular processes. ATP can provide energy for some types of transport across membranes, such as active transport.

Choice A reason: Intracellular to the extracellular fluid shift is not the cause of low blood pressure in this case. This fluid shift occurs when the cells lose water due to osmosis, such as in dehydration or hypernatremia.

Choice B reason: Interstitial to intravascular fluid shift is not the cause of low blood pressure in this case. This fluid shift occurs when the fluid moves from the tissue spaces to the blood vessels, such as in hypovolemia or hypotonic fluid administration.

Choice C reason: Interstitial to the intracellular fluid shift is not the cause of low blood pressure in this case. This fluid shift occurs when the fluid moves from the tissue spaces to the cells, such as in overhydration or hyponatremia.

Choice D reason: Intravascular to the interstitial fluid shift is the cause of low blood pressure in this case. This fluid shift occurs when the fluid moves from the blood vessels to the tissue spaces, such as in edema, inflammation, or increased capillary permeability. This reduces the blood volume and lowers the blood pressure.