Which change in a patient's assessment has the greatest urgency?
A) Serum potassium concentration is decreasing; abdominal distention, but denies any difficulty breathing
B) Serum calcium concentration is decreasing; reports constipation; is alert and denies any discomfort
C) Serum calcium concentration is increasing; reports constipation; is alert and denies any discomfort
D) Serum potassium concentration is increasing; has developed cardiac dysrhythmias, but denies any difficulty breathing

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Cardiac dysrhythmias from hyperkalemia need rapid attention to prevent potentially life-threatening consequences and are therefore the highest priority for reporting.Certainly you will want to report this symptomatic hypokalemia,but it is not your most urgent priority,because abdominal distention is not rapidly life threatening and you have another patient with cardiac dysrhythmias,which can be life threatening.Certainly you will want to report this hypocalcemia,but it is not your most urgent priority,because there are no signs and symptoms of hypocalcemia and you have another patient with cardiac dysrhythmias,which can be life threatening.Certainly you will want to report this symptomatic hypercalcemia,but it is not your most urgent priority,because constipation is not rapidly life threatening and you have another patient with cardiac dysrhythmias,which can be life threatening.

Which Change in a Patient's Assessment Has the Greatest Urgency