Question

A nurse is planning care for a client who has a potassium level of 3.0 mEq/L. The nurse should plan to monitor the client for which of the following findings?

A) Hypertension
B) Bradycardia
C) Hyperreflexia
D) Tachypnea

Answer 1

The correct answer is B) Bradycardia, as a potassium level of 3.0 mEq/L indicates hypokalemia, which can lead to a slower than normal heart rate.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student has asked about the appropriate monitoring for a client with a potassium level of 3.0 mEq/L. Considering that a normal potassium range is approximately 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L, a level of 3.0 mEq/L indicates hypokalemia, or low potassium levels. Hypokalemia can lead to several complications, one of which is cardiac arrhythmias.

From the options provided, the correct response is B) Bradycardia. Bradycardia is a slower than normal heart rate, which can be a symptom of hypokalemia. While the other options, including hypertension, hyperreflexia, and tachypnea, are related to different conditions, they are not typically direct results of hypokalemia. Therefore, the nurse should plan to monitor the client for bradycardia.