Final answer:
The nurse should withhold medications containing potassium, such as KCl, if a client's serum potassium level is 6.2 mEq/L to prevent the potential for hyperkalemia, which can cause serious cardiac complications.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse should withhold medication that contains potassium if the client's serum potassium level is 6.2 mEq/L, as this indicates hyperkalemiaWhen a patient has a high serum potassium level, like the 6.2 mEq/L mentioned, administering additional potassium could be dangerous or even lethal. Medications or substances that could raise potassium levels, such as potassium chloride (KCl), should be avoided. Potassium plays a crucial role in cellular function, especially in cardiac muscle cells, and high levels can disrupt the electrical activity of the heart, potentially leading to cardiac arrest.Potassium levels are normally tightly regulated by the body, and any significant deviation from the normal range requires careful medical management. In the case of hyperkalemia, treatment focuses on lowering the potassium levels, often through medications that increase its excretion, such as diuretics, or through treatments that help shift potassium from the extracellular fluid back into cells.