The nurse is caring for a patient in the intensive care unit with an NG tube to low intermittent suction after bowel surgery.Morning lab results include the following: Na⁺ = 136 mEq,K⁺ = 3.3 mEq,Cl- = 100 mEq,Ca⁺⁺ = 10 mg/dL.The patient has scheduled medications,which include potassium bicarbonate/potassium chloride 40 mEq via NG and Lasix (furosemide)20 mg intravenous push daily.Which of the following actions should the nurse take next?
A)Evaluate the patient's telemetry reading.
B)Hold the patient's daily dose of potassium chloride.
C)Assess the amount and color of the NG output over the past 2 hr.
D)Provide the patient's scheduled Lasix (furosemide).

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

See Evaluation/Desired Outcomes and Nursing Implications for Potassium bicarbonate/potassium chloride: Potassium bicarbonate/potassium chloride is used to prevent or correct serum potassium depletion.The patient's serum potassium is low,and this places the patient at risk for cardiac arrhythmias.The medication should be given.While the NG output is important,it is not the highest priority.While the scheduled furosemide dose is important,it is not the highest priority.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Patient in the Intensive