Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 65%
Simulated
A nurse is caring for a client who has acute kidney injury and a potassium level of 6.5 mEq/L. Which of the following interventions should the nurse anticipate?
Correct answer
C
Rationale
The correct answer is C: Prepare the client for hemodialysis. In acute kidney injury with high potassium levels, hemodialysis is the most effective intervention to quickly lower potassium levels by removing excess potassium from the bloodstream. This is a critical and urgent intervention to prevent life-threatening complications such as cardiac arrhythmias. Administering a loop diuretic (choice A) may worsen the hyperkalemia by further reducing renal function. Restricting dietary potassium intake (choice B) is not as effective in rapidly lowering potassium levels in acute situations. Administering potassium chloride IV (choice D) would be contraindicated as it would further elevate potassium levels.