A nurse is caring for a patient with chronic kidney disease who receives hemodialysis. The routine daily laboratory studies reveal a potassium level of 5.2 mEq/L. The nurse knows the patient is at risk for which of the following? 

Explanation

• Patients with hyperkalemia (increased serum potassium) may exhibit bradycardia with widened QRS waveform on EKG and may develop ventricular fibrillation.

• Normal serum potassium range:  3.5 - 5.0 mEq/L

• Hyperkalemia may cause numbness and tingling of the fingertips and numbness around the mouth. Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps may also occur with hyperkalemia.

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