Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 69%
Simulated
A nurse is reviewing a client's laboratory results before administering furosemide 40 mg IV bolus. For which of the following values should the nurse withhold the medication and contact the provider?
Correct answer
D
Rationale
The correct answer is D: Potassium 2.5 mEq/L. Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause potassium loss. A potassium level of 2.5 mEq/L is below the normal range (3.5-5.0 mEq/L) and indicates hypokalemia. Administering furosemide in this situation can further lower potassium levels, leading to serious cardiac arrhythmias. The nurse should withhold the medication and contact the provider for further evaluation and possible potassium supplementation.
Choices A, B, and C are within normal limits and do not require medication withholding. INR of 1.0 indicates normal coagulation, WBC count of 8,000/mm┬▓ is within the normal range, and sodium of 141 mEq/L is also normal.
Choices A, B, and C are within normal limits and do not require medication withholding. INR of 1.0 indicates normal coagulation, WBC count of 8,000/mm┬▓ is within the normal range, and sodium of 141 mEq/L is also normal.