A nurse is reviewing results of preoperative screening tests and notes the client's potassium level is dangerously low. What should the nurse do next?
A) Nothing; potassium levels have no influence on surgical outcome.
B) Include the information in the postoperative end of shift report.
C) Document the data and notify the physician who will do the surgery.
D) Ask the client and family members why the potassium is low.
Ans: C
Either high or low levels of potassium put the surgical client at increased risk for cardiac problems during and after surgery. The nurse's role includes recording the data in the client's record and reporting abnormal findings.
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Fill in the blank(s) with correct word