Fundamentals of Nursing HESI
, The nurse should plan care knowing that which client is at risk for a potassium deficit? - The client receiving
nasogastric suction
Rationale:
Potassium-rich gastrointestinal (GI) fluids are lost through GI suction, which places the client at risk for
hypokalemia
The nurse reviews a client's electrolyte results and notes a potassium level of 5.5 mEq/L. The nurse understands
that a potassium value at this level should be noted with which condition? - Traumatic burn
Rationale:
A serum potassium level that exceeds 5.0 mEq/L is indicative of hyperkalemia. Clients who experience the cellular
shifting of potassium, as in the early stages of massive cell destruction (i.e., with trauma, burns, sepsis, or
metabolic or respiratory acidosis), are at risk for hyperkalemia. The client with Cushing's syndrome or diarrhea
and the client who has been overusing laxatives are at risk for hypokalemia.
The nurse reviews a client's electrolyte results and notes that the potassium level is 5.4 mEq/L. Which should the
nurse observe for on the cardiac monitor as a result of this laboratory value? - Narrow, peaked T waves
Rationale:
A serum potassium level of 5.4 mEq/L is indicative of hyperkalemia. Cardiac changes include a wide, flat P wave;
a prolonged PR interval; a widened QRS complex; and narrow, peaked T waves.
, The nurse should plan care knowing that which client is at risk for a potassium deficit? - The client receiving
nasogastric suction
Rationale:
Potassium-rich gastrointestinal (GI) fluids are lost through GI suction, which places the client at risk for
hypokalemia
The nurse reviews a client's electrolyte results and notes a potassium level of 5.5 mEq/L. The nurse understands
that a potassium value at this level should be noted with which condition? - Traumatic burn
Rationale:
A serum potassium level that exceeds 5.0 mEq/L is indicative of hyperkalemia. Clients who experience the cellular
shifting of potassium, as in the early stages of massive cell destruction (i.e., with trauma, burns, sepsis, or
metabolic or respiratory acidosis), are at risk for hyperkalemia. The client with Cushing's syndrome or diarrhea
and the client who has been overusing laxatives are at risk for hypokalemia.
The nurse reviews a client's electrolyte results and notes that the potassium level is 5.4 mEq/L. Which should the
nurse observe for on the cardiac monitor as a result of this laboratory value? - Narrow, peaked T waves
Rationale:
A serum potassium level of 5.4 mEq/L is indicative of hyperkalemia. Cardiac changes include a wide, flat P wave;
a prolonged PR interval; a widened QRS complex; and narrow, peaked T waves.
