Final answer:
The nurse should verify potassium levels with the lab after hemodialysis, as it is critical to manage potassium levels in patients with end-stage renal disease due to the possibility of hypokalemia or hyperkalemia.
Step-by-step explanation:
After hemodialysis, the nurse should verify potassium levels with the lab for a patient who has end-stage renal disease. Normal serum potassium levels are typically around 3.5-5.0 mmol/L, and hemodialysis can have a significant impact on these levels. Given that hypokalemia (abnormally decreased blood levels of potassium) and hyperkalemia (abnormally increased blood levels of potassium) can both be potentially life-threatening complications, it is essential to ensure that potassium levels are adequately managed after the procedure. This is also consistent with the fact that blood potassium is a critical parameter affected in renal disease and is subject to significant fluctuation during dialysis.