A patient is admitted to a surgical unit with acute abdominal pain. The laboratory calls to report a serum potassium level of 2 mEq/L. What should the nurse do first?
a. Administer a Kayexalate enema.
b. Document the result on the chart.
c. Notify the physician during morning rounds.
d. Call the physician STAT.
ANS: D
A serum potassium of 2 mEq/L is very low and places the patient at risk for cardiac complications. Kayexalate will lower it further and is inappropriate. The result can be documented after the physician is notified STAT.
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