Final answer:
Confirm hypokalemia, a serum potassium level (option 2) test is used because it measures the specific concentration of potassium in the blood, which is critical for diagnosing this condition. Hypokalemia is characterized by abnormally low levels of potassium, which can have serious health implications if left untreated.
Step-by-step explanation:
To confirm hypokalemia, which is an abnormally low potassium blood level, the correct test would be a serum potassium level measurement. This is because the normal level of serum potassium is 14-20 mg/100 ml and a deviation from this range can indicate hypokalemia. Serum potassium measurement is important as Erythrocytes contain large amounts of potassium, which is critical for avoiding hemolysis, and factors such as glucose, insulin administration, and aldosterone can decrease serum potassium levels.
Hypokalemia can result from either an absolute reduction of potassium in the body or a relative reduction of potassium in the blood due to redistribution. Causes include decreased intake often associated with starvation, and losses through vomiting, diarrhea, or alkalosis. It is crucial to diagnose and treat hypokalemia efficiently because low potassium levels can lead to muscle weakness, irritability, and heart complications.