Question

A nurse is working on a telemetry unit intiates an infusion of potassium chloride for a client who has hypokalemia. Which of the following indicates an understanding that the treatment is effective?

a. ST segment Elevation
b. wide QRS complexes
c. U waves are absent
d. P-waves are absent

Answer 1

The effective treatment of hypokalemia with potassium chloride infusion is indicated by the absence of U waves on the electrocardiogram, suggesting a return to normal serum potassium levels.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse working on a telemetry unit who initiates an infusion of potassium chloride for a client with hypokalemia needs to look for signs on the electrocardiogram (ECG) that the treatment is effective. One of the indicators of resolving hypokalemia is when U waves become less prominent or absent. Therefore, the correct answer is c. U waves are absent. This indicates that the serum potassium levels are likely returning to normal, as U waves are often associated with hypokalemia. The absence of U waves suggests that the heart's electrical activity is normalizing as the potassium levels are corrected.