The nurse is caring for a client with an elevated serum potassium level. The physician orders administration of glucose and insulin to drive potassium into the cell
Another nurse asks, "Elevating intracellular potassium is dangerous too, isn't it?" The nurse's best response would be which of the following? 1. "Yes, but not as dangerous as when the level is high in the serum."
2. "Potassium level is higher in the cell, and serum potassium is more dangerous."
3. "Potassium isn't normally found in the cell, so it can be more easily excreted in the cell."
4. "No, potassium has no effect in the cell."
2
Rationale: Intracellular potassium is normally high, and can be accommodated more easily in the cell than in the serum. Elevated serum potassium can cause cellular excitation, of particular danger with cardiac cells.
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