Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 65%
Simulated
A nurse is preparing to administer potassium chloride (KCL) to a client who is receiving diuretic therapy. The nurse reviews the client's serum potassium level results and discovers the client's potassium level is 3.2 mEq/L. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Correct answer
C
Rationale
The correct action is to give the ordered KCL as prescribed (Choice C). With a potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L, the client is hypokalemic and requires potassium supplementation to prevent complications such as cardiac dysrhythmias. Omitting the dose (Choice A) would worsen the hypokalemia. Holding the dose and notifying the provider (Choice B) may delay necessary treatment. Calling the lab to verify the results (Choice D) is unnecessary as the potassium level is within the range that requires supplementation.