Final answer:
The nurse should question the administration of potassium supplements to a patient with Addison's crisis due to the risk of hyperkalemia. Administering hydrocortisone IV and normal saline IV is proper care, while furosemide IV must be cautiously considered.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse should question the healthcare provider (HCP) about administering potassium supplements to a patient admitted with Addison's crisis. Addison's disease involves adrenal insufficiency, which leads to low cortisol and often low aldosterone levels. A key function of aldosterone is to promote sodium reabsorption and potassium excretion. In Addison's crisis, patients often experience hyperkalemia (high potassium levels) due to the lack of aldosterone. Therefore, administering potassium could worsen the patient's condition.
Administering hydrocortisone IV is appropriate as it replaces the lacking cortisol, and providing normal saline IV addresses the sodium loss and dehydration commonly seen in this condition. However, administering furosemide IV, a potent diuretic, could further exacerbate dehydration and should be approached with caution.
It is essential for IV solutions to be isotonic to prevent damage to red blood cells. In the scenario given, due to the potential for hyperkalemia, administering potassium supplements should be questioned to prevent further elevating the potassium levels and risking the patient's life.