The nurse is preparing to administer an intravenous insulin drip to a patient admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis. Which of the following laboratory findings would be of most concern to the nurse?
1. sodium level of 130 mEq/L
2. potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L
3. bicarbonate level of 16 mEq/L
4. phosphorus level of 2.8 mEq/L
2
Rationale: Insulin replacement should be delayed until potassium levels are greater than 3.3 mEq/L to prevent cardiac arrhythmias or cardiac arrest. The sodium is low but not as critical as the potassium and will most likely be corrected with intravenous replacement fluids. The bicarbonate level is low, which is expected with acidosis, but it often corrects itself with insulin and IV fluid replacement. The phosphorus level is within normal limits.
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True False