Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse Practice Exam

What intervention may be used after recognizing a patient's hypokalemia?

1. Administer potassium supplements

2. Increase sodium intake

3. Prescribe a potassium-wasting diuretic

4. Restrict fluid intake

The correct answer is: Administer potassium supplements

Administering potassium supplements is a critical intervention after recognizing hypokalemia, which is characterized by lower than normal levels of potassium in the blood. Potassium plays a vital role in various physiological processes, including muscle contractions, nerve function, and maintaining proper heart rhythm. When levels fall, it can lead to serious complications such as muscle weakness, cardiac arrhythmias, and overall impaired physiological functions. In this context, potassium supplements can either be administered orally or intravenously, depending on the severity of the hypokalemia and the patient’s clinical situation. This direct replacement of potassium helps to restore normal serum levels, alleviating associated symptoms and preventing complications. The other options provided do not effectively address the condition of hypokalemia. Increasing sodium intake does not aid in correcting potassium levels and may actually worsen the situation. Prescribing a potassium-wasting diuretic would further deplete potassium levels, exacerbating hypokalemia rather than treating it. Restricting fluid intake does not have a direct effect on potassium levels and is not a recommended intervention for hypokalemia. Thus, potassium supplementation is the most appropriate and direct intervention to correct hypokalemia.